Selection panel’s choice of Pratika Rawal sparks controversy ahead of Dubai

The inclusion of Pratika Rawal in India’s Women’s T20 squad for the Asia Cup has ignited a debate among former players and analysts. Anjum Chopra, a two‑time World Cup winner, labeled the move “beyond understanding,” pointing out that Rawal has not played competitively at the international level since the Challenger Trophy in November 2024. She added that Rawal missed the entire 2026 Women’s Premier League season while recovering from a knee injury sustained during the 2025 ODI World Cup.

Chopra highlighted that the side already boasts a strong top order with players such as Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, and that Rawal’s limited recent exposure makes her a risky pick for a pivotal batting position. She suggested that the selectors could have opted for players who have featured regularly in India A’s 50‑over matches or have been part of the WPL, like Richa Ghosh or Vaidehi V. By raising these points, Chopra urged the board to adopt a more transparent selection policy that rewards recent performance over past reputation.