Who is Prema Rawat? Uttarakhand leg-spinner makes debut during India vs South Africa at Women's T20 World Cup 2026

Prema Rawat made her India debut directly at the Women's World Cup 2026 against South Africa on Sunday at the Old Trafgord, after replacing Shreyanka Patil. Rawat was already with the India A team in England. Patil, who is one of the most influential figures in the Indian squad, sustained an ankle injury against Netherlands at the Women's World Cup 2026.

Following her injury, Patil was stretchered off the pitch. “Shreyanka is missing because of her injury. In place of her, Prema is going to make her debut,” Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who is playing her 200th T20I said at the coin toss. “Just to enjoy. I think I’m more nervous playing 200th game and she is someone who looks very calm,” added Harmanpreet.

Hailing from Uttarakhand, Rawat caught the selector's eye after her impressive outing at the Women's Premier League. She was picked in the India A side for the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars where Rawat picked eight wickets at an average of 9.62.

All you need to know about Prema Rawat

Cricket wasn't Rawat's first choice. She first tried at athletics at the school level, before trying a hand with hockey.. However, it was a discussion with her father in the final year of her school that diverted Rawat's mind towards cricket. She is also also Known for her gun fielding besides her leg-spin.

Rawat first stole the limelight when the 24-year-old from Bageshwar district in Uttarakhand bagged a ₹1.2 crore cheque during the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction ahead of the 2025 season.

Rawat was acquired by Smriti Mandhana's Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who called her a ‘3D talent’, as described by assistant coach, Malolan Rangarajan. In six WPL matches, Rawat took three wickets for RCB.

At the India nets, Rawat impressed all with her good rhythm and pace variation. In fact she even beat Shafali Varma once. Meanwhile, India managed to score 158/7 in 20 overs after opting to bat first.

IND-W vs SA-W playing XIs

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon(w), Sinalo Jafta, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma