Delhi govt awards cricketer Pratika Rawal Rs 1.5 crore for World Cup heroics

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday announced a cash reward of Rs 1.5 crore for India cricketer Pratika Rawal, honouring her exceptional performance at the ICC Women's World Cup.

Rawal, who impressed with 308 runs in the tournament, emerged as the fourth-highest run-scorer, following South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt (571), India’s Smriti Mandhana (434) and Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner (328). Her promising campaign was cut short when she sustained an injury during the group-stage match against Bangladesh, ruling her out of both the semifinal and the final.

Despite the setback, Rawal’s contributions were widely celebrated. After India lifted the World Cup on November 2, the wheelchair-bound opener was brought to the field by her teammates to join the historic celebrations, a moment that resonated deeply with fans across the country.

Chief Minister Gupta met Rawal at her residence and later honoured her at the Jan Seva Sadan. In a message shared on X, she praised the young cricketer as “a symbol of energy, courage, and women’s empowerment,” adding that her journey reflects how Delhi “not only gives birth to dreams but helps them take flight.”

The event was attended by Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood and Delhi and District Cricket Association President Rohan Jaitley, who congratulated Rawal for her grit and achievements.

The Delhi government’s award marks another milestone in Rawal’s fast-rising career, celebrating both her performance and her resilience.