India opener Pratika Rawal has finally received the confirmation she had been hoping for—her ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 winner’s medal is officially hers. Despite missing India’s last two matches, including the semifinal and final, due to an unfortunate ankle injury against Bangladesh in the final league fixture, Rawal will be recognised as a World Cup winner. In a candid conversation with CNN News18, she revealed that ICC Chairman Jay Shah personally stepped in to make sure she wasn’t left out of the historic moment.
India scripted history last Sunday, lifting their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title after a thrilling win over South Africa. During the post-match presentation, all 15 members of the squad—including Rawal’s replacement, Shafali Verma—received their winners’ medals. Rawal, understandably, was disappointed at not being part of that moment on the podium, but what followed quickly put her at ease.
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The medal she wore during the Indian team’s heartfelt meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu was actually handed to her temporarily by a member of the support staff. But for Rawal, that symbolic gesture already carried deep emotional weight.
Meeting Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji was truly special. Thank you, sir, for recognising our journey and inspiring us to keep raising the bar 🇮🇳🏆 pic.twitter.com/QWY0XM5Uoo
— Pratika Rawal (@RawalPratika) November 6, 2025
“Jay Shah texted our manager saying he wanted to arrange a medal for me,” Pratika Rawal shared. “When I opened the temporary medal given by the support staff and held it for the first time, I was almost in tears. I’m not someone who cries easily, but that emotion was real. It felt like I was finally part of the moment.”
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Rawal added that Shah had already informed her that the ICC would dispatch her official medal soon. “So yes, the real medal is on the way,” she confirmed with a smile.
For Rawal, the recognition completes a journey filled with resilience—and ensures her name stays etched in India’s first-ever Women’s World Cup triumph.
