Pratika Rawal-The Power of Simplicity and Hard Work

Pratika Rawal's path into the world of global cricket is nothing less than inspiring. Rawal is 24 and already making waves in the women's cricket world, wearing the India blue and standing along with some of her childhood heroes. What makes her path all the more inspiring is her mentality - a mix of simplicity, patience, and dedication to constant learning and self-betterment.

When Rawal initially got her international cap, it was surreal. It was a dream come true, but the young cricketer now finds herself getting into the groove of the team, knowing that she actually belongs. Her record of 444 runs in her first six innings in women's ODIs is the highest by any batter, paving the way for a thrilling future. Sharing the crease with Smriti Mandhana, Rawal has developed a solid opening combination that has impressed selectors to the point of ignoring talented Shafali Verma. With the 50-over World Cup looming, Rawal is determined to cement her spot in the team.

Though she exudes calm and composure on the field, Rawal confesses that her path to this point has not been smooth. As a child, she was not always so composed. She was once hot-headed, talking too quickly and acting on impulse. With time, she taught herself to slow down, both physically and mentally. Her personal development, she feels, is manifested in the way she plays the game. Away from the field, Rawal has embraced a simple life that enables her to remain focused and clear-headed. She came to understand making her bed upon waking and tidying up in the morning so that a neat environment contributes to a clear head.

Rawal's career path has been charted by her coach, Deepti Dhyani. Dhyani has been all things to her, guiding her through routines, fitness, what she eats, and above all, her thinking. For Rawal, Dhyani has been a subtle driving force in her transformation, providing priceless counsel and encouragement. Rawal remembers how Dhyani sat down with her for every detail of her game, from instructing her on the technicalities of punching the ball off the back foot.

Rawal's start in cricket came at a young age. She began playing when she was only ten, but it was when she read about Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami that she properly started following women's cricket. She witnessed the 2017 Women's World Cup final at Lord's, which was the turning point of her career. It was there that she made up her mind to play like Harmanpreet Kaur, whose record-breaking 171 in the tournament made an indelible impression on her. Rawal herself recalls her very first meeting with Kaur, when she could only utter the words "Good morning, didi" owing to being overwhelmed by starry-eyed wonder.

As Rawal went on to develop professionally, she switched to psychology not merely as a course of study, but also as a means of living. One of her professors once asserted, "Psychology isn't just about understanding others.". It's all about knowing yourself." That counsel struck a chord with Rawal, particularly when she discovered the impact body language can have on a player's performance. She learned from former India all-rounder Hrishikesh Kanitkar that even minor adjustments in posture or attitude can have an impact on how a player performs during a match. This knowledge of the psychological aspect of the game has enabled her to convert her weaknesses into strengths.

Though Rawal used to be a national-level basketball player, she had to take the tough choice of playing only cricket. She was forced into a choice because injuries sustained during playing two sports led her in that direction, and cricket prevailed. She thinks that the sport draws out something special in her, a spark of passion and thrill she couldn't get otherwise. Along with her cricket, Rawal also ensured her studies continued. She moved to Modern School in Delhi, where she built up confidence, not only in studies, but also in speaking. She got rid of her initial shyness and developed the ability to communicate.

Following her outstanding performance in local cricket, Rawal took the giant leap to the Railways squad of 2023-24, which was filled with elite players. She was initially not picked, but her perseverance made her try harder, and before long, she was called to represent the team. She values the respect of being chosen solely on merit, something she strongly holds close to her heart.

When she is not on the cricket field, Rawal likes to spend time at home, drawing or watching her favorite television show, Friends. She also enjoys talking to her mom, who provides a constant source of guidance and encouragement. Her mother's simple yet powerful philosophy, "Whatever happens, happens for the best," has been a guiding force in Rawal's life, keeping her grounded in both success and failure.

Rawal's ambitions are grand, and she is not in a rush to get there. She dreams of standing with the World Cup trophy, and she has faith in the law of manifestation. "Absolutely, I believe in it," she affirms confidently. Her journey is proof of the strength of hard work, the need for mental focus, and the faith that success is not overnight—it is constructed step by step, with patience and a positive attitude.