The Indian women’s cricket fraternity rejoices as dynamic opener Pratikya Rawal makes a triumphant return to the national squad for the ODI series versus Australia. BCCI’s official confirmation came Tuesday, underscoring her complete fitness post a nagging ankle injury from the Women’s World Cup.
This ODI showdown, comprising three games, forms the crux of India’s packed Australia tour. The series opener lights up Brisbane on February 24, with the remaining encounters in Hobart. As the T20Is wrap up on February 21—with India ahead 1-0—the focus shifts to the longer format ahead of the March 6 Test in Perth.
Rawal’s ordeal started October 26 during a washed-out World Cup clash with Bangladesh, sidelining her for the business end of the tournament. The 24-year-old, who earned her maiden Test call-up earlier, underwent rigorous rehab at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
Her pre-injury form was electric: 308 World Cup runs, boasting a ton and fifty, placing her second on the run charts. Debuting in ODIs last December, Rawal’s ledger reads 1110 runs from 24 digs at 50.45 average and 82.83 strike rate—a haul that clinched her central contract.
‘Pratikya Rawal has completed her rehabilitation and is fully fit from the ankle injury suffered during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025,’ BCCI noted, crediting the selection panel’s decision.
Full squad list: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Sri Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Uma Chetry (wicketkeeper), Kashvi Gautam, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Pratikya Rawal.
With Rawal’s aggression at the top, India eyes a strong ODI campaign, potentially tilting the tour in their favor.