Last few months have been tough for Pratika Rawal. The star batter, who has enjoyed a terrific start to her W-ODI career, has been ruled out of the upcoming one-offs Test match between India and England at the historic Lord’s Test. She was supposed to open the innings Smriti Mandhana but is set to miss the Test.
The Indian women’s team head coach Amol Muzumdar has announced that Delhi’s Priya Punia will replace Rawal in the Test that will begin on July 10.
Priya Punia replaces Rawal
Both Priya Punia and Pratika Rawal were part of India A’s side that went up against England A. India A, under captain Harleen Deol, won the 50-over series 2-1 in an emphatic fashion. Pratika played the first two matches but missed the third. She might’ve gotten injured before the third match, leading her way out of Test match as well.
Punia, meanwhile, played all the three games and opened for the side on all occasions. Fascinatingly, she scored 171 runs at an average of 57.00 including a 87 and 61 in last two games. The BCCI has decided to pick Punia due to the fact that she’s in form, a like for like replacement for Rawal and also due to her being in England already. Otherwise, it is very hectic to prepare for visas and all logistics.
Recently, Punia was part of the women’s Delhi Premier League auction too, where she was bought by South Delhi Supertarz for INR 5 lakh. Punia earned her maiden call-up for the New Zealand tour and made her T20I debut on 6 February 2019. Later that year, she debuted in ODIs against South Africa. Although she hasn’t played for India since December 2024, this is a huge break for the 29-year-old.
Meanwhile, this is another setback for Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out halfway through the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. She did well to earn her way back with the WACA Test. But just as she was finding her feet again, an injury has put her out. It’s a tough break for one of India’s best young players.
