Jay Shah turns messiah for Pratika Rawal! Injured world champion India opener reveals real story behind medal row

Pratika Rawal, who missed the semifinal and final matches in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, has shared an update. She revealed that her winner's medal is finally on its way. The development came after former BCCI secretary and current ICC chairman Jay Shah intervened.

Following India’s win over South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the entire Indian team received their winners’ medals, except Pratika Rawal. According to ICC rules, Rawal was officially replaced in the squad. As a result, she was unable to receive the medal.

Rawal joined the celebrations with the rest of her teammates and was also part of the photoshoot, but without a medal. 

There was confusion when Rawal was pictured with a winner's medal around her neck during the Indian team's visit to the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi.

“Jay Shah sir texted our manager that I want to make arrangements and I want to get Pratika a medal. Finally, I do now have my own medal. Amanjot Kaur has her own. I don't know why she wasn't wearing it. When I first opened it up, I got tears in my eyes,” Rawal told News18.

But the question was whether Rawal was wearing her own medal at the PM's residence? No, the left-hander wasn't. In fact, it was one of the support staff's that she was wearing.

“I was going back to my home, and Maroof sir (Team India manager) called me and said that “I want to recognise Pratika with a medal. I am asking the ICC if they can send a medal for her”. Since it took some time to reach me, Maroof sir gave one of the support staff's medals in order to consider that as my own,” added Rawal.

How did Pratika Rawal get injured?

Rawal was one of the mainstays of India's batting in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. Opening the batting with Smriti Mandhana, Rawal played a big part at the top of the order for the Women in Blue, including a century against New Zealand in the group stages.

Rawal suffered an injury while attempting a catch in the match against Bangladesh. It happened in the 21st over of the Bangladesh innings when Sharmin Akter swept Deepti Sharma across the line. With the ground already wet due to rain, Rawal's foot got stuck in the turf and twisted her ankle as she ran towards her left from the cow corner.

She immediately fell to the ground and was grimacing in pain. Although a stretcher was brought in, Rawal hobbled off the field. She was later replaced by Shafali Verma.

Despite missing out on the semifinal and final, Rawal still finished fourth in the list of batters with the most runs in the tournament. In seven matches, Rawal managed 308 runs at an average of 51.33. Her highest score in the tournament was 122 against New Zealand.