Rawal joins Warwickshire for domestic season
Warwickshire Women have announced the signing of India batter Pratika Rawal for the remainder of the 2026 domestic season. Rawal is expected to bolster the county side’s batting lineup in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Her availability for selection will begin with Warwickshire’s next One-Day Cup fixture on August 19, as the Bears aim to secure a spot in the tournament’s eliminators.
The move marks Rawal’s return to competitive cricket following a knee injury. This injury had previously ruled her out of India’s one-off Test against England at Lord’s. She sustained the injury on July 1 during an India A match in Taunton, an incident that required stitches and prevented her from participating in the significant Test match.
Warwickshire currently holds the fifth position in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup standings. The team is focused on finishing within the top three to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition. The club anticipates that Rawal’s arrival will provide additional batting strength at the top of the order during the crucial closing stages of the tournament.
The club expressed its satisfaction with the acquisition of the India opener, stating that her inclusion would strengthen the squad as they strive for a strong finish to the season. According to a club statement, “It’s a great signing for the team, and we are most pleased to be able to welcome Pratika to Edgbaston. Our position in the One Day Cup table at the moment is a good one, and bringing in a player of Pratika’s calibre can only serve to strengthen our team as we aim to end the season on a positive note.”
Ali Maiden, head coach for Warwickshire Bears Women, also welcomed the signing, remarking, “This is a fantastic signing for the team, and we’re very pleased to be able to welcome Pratika to Edgbaston. We’re in a good position in the One Day Cup table, so bringing in a player of Pratika’s calibre can only strengthen our line-up as we look to finish the season on a positive note.”
Rawal’s return and international career
Rawal herself conveyed her eagerness to experience county cricket and expressed her anticipation of representing Warwickshire at Edgbaston, which she described as one of England’s most iconic venues. She stated, “I am most pleased to be joining Warwickshire; I have heard many positive things about the club and am excited to get going and do all I can to assist the team. Testing myself by playing in England will be a great experience for me, and I’m also looking forward to walking out at Edgbaston, which is such an iconic ground in world cricket.”
Her remarks further highlighted her enthusiasm: “I’m really pleased to be joining Warwickshire. I’ve heard so many good things about the club, and I’m excited to get started and try to help the team as much as I can. It’s going to be a great experience for me to test myself playing in England. Walking out at Edgbaston, which is such an iconic ground in world cricket, is also something I’m really looking forward to.”
The knee injury that sidelined Rawal occurred while she was representing India A in a three-match one-day series against England A. She participated in the opening match of the series but sustained the injury during the second game. This injury prevented her from batting in the run chase and led to her missing the final match of the series, ultimately ruling her out of the Lord’s Test. Priya Punia was subsequently named as her replacement for the Test match.
Rawal has established herself as a notable batting talent for India since her international debut in December 2024. She holds the record for being the fastest woman to achieve 500 ODI runs, reaching this milestone in just eight innings. The opener also played a significant role in India’s successful Women’s ODI World Cup campaign in 2025, where she scored 308 runs, including a century against New Zealand, contributing to the team’s title victory.
Warwickshire Bears Women, currently with 22 points from 11 matches, are scheduled to face Yorkshire on August 19.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
