Pratika Rawal’s much-anticipated county cricket stint with Warwickshire has been put on hold after the India opener received her maiden T20I call-up on Friday. Rawal was due to join the Bears for the remainder of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, but her elevation to the India squad means she will no longer travel to Edgbaston.
Rawal had signed with Warwickshire last month and was expected to make her county debut when the One-Day Cup resumed on August 19. She was set to be available for Warwickshire’s clash against Yorkshire at Edgbaston as the Bears looked to strengthen their campaign for the latter stages of the competition.
However, Friday’s announcement of her maiden T20I call-up has changed those plans. Rawal has been drafted into India’s squad for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup as a replacement for Jemimah Rodrigues, who was ruled out of the tournament with a high-grade right hamstring injury.
PRATIKA’S INDIA CALL-UP COMES AT EXPENSE OF COUNTY DEBUT
The development is a blow for Warwickshire, who were looking forward to having Rawal strengthen their batting line-up during the One-Day Cup run-in. Head coach Ali Maiden admitted the Bears were disappointed to lose the 25-year-old, but acknowledged the significance of her international opportunity.
“We were really looking forward to welcoming Pratika into our squad for the remainder of the season and we’re incredibly disappointed to lose her,” Maiden said.
“That being said, we’ve still got a lot to play for in the remaining weeks of the season and we’re confident in the squad we have at our disposal.”
Maiden, however, had no doubts about the importance of Rawal’s latest opportunity.
“Playing for your country is the ultimate honour and we wish Pratika well in the Asia Cup.”
Rawal’s call-up is another significant step in her rapidly developing international career. The 25-year-old has established herself as a key member of India’s ODI set-up since making her debut in December 2024 and was an important contributor during India’s 2025 World Cup triumph. She had also recently returned to fitness after an injury ruled her out of the Lord’s Test against England.
While Warwickshire will have to move forward without the India opener, Rawal now has an opportunity to add another dimension to her international career. Her first T20I call-up means a planned county debut has been sacrificed, but representing India offers a far bigger stage.
– Ends