India opener Pratika Rawal is entering a defining phase of her career with a composed outlook, balancing her return from injury with preparations for key international assignments, including a much-anticipated Test in England.
During a visit to her alma mater, Jesus and Mary College, Rawal spoke about how her academic grounding in psychology helped her navigate the mental challenges of being sidelined following India’s 2025 ODI World Cup success.
“I’m totally over that. Good thing about psychology, it teaches you how to, you know, understand yourself, how to understand your emotions, how to understand your behavior. And it has helped me entirely, you know. When I was in that injury phase, the first thing was to accept the fact that I’m injured right now.
“What are the things which are in my control? So, it has helped me a lot and it still helps me when I’m playing that game, you know, when I’m dealing with that mental pressure. So, psychology in total, I mean, this is a part of my life, not just about cricket but in daily life as well.”
Focus Shifts to Red-Ball Cricket
Now back to full fitness, the 25-year-old has turned her attention toward the longer format, which she values highly. With India scheduled to play a Test at Lord’s, Rawal expressed her excitement about the opportunity to perform at one of cricket’s most iconic venues.
“When you do play, all the legends have scored their hundreds there; they have your names (on the honours board) when you score a hundred. I’m definitely really excited for that Test match, especially because I think it’s such a beautiful format and I crave that format a lot. I’m preparing well, putting in the hard work for that preparation.”
Her words highlight both admiration for the venue’s history and a clear ambition to leave her mark on the famous honours board.
Experience in English Conditions a Key Advantage
Rawal also pointed to her previous experience in England as a valuable factor in her preparations. Having already played in those conditions, she believes she has a solid understanding of what to expect.
“So luckily, I played a series last year in England, so I have a fair idea about how the pitches work and how the bowlers are. So yes, thinking of that in mind, you know, keeping that in mind, I’m preparing on those lines as well.”
A Process-Driven Approach
Despite setting her sights on major milestones, Rawal continues to emphasise a calm and methodical mindset. She prefers focusing on the present rather than looking too far ahead, a philosophy that has guided her progress so far.
“For me, I think my USP is taking one thing at a time. I don’t think too much about the future, and this is what you know, which helps me to keep you know, myself calm. So, it’s just one day at a time, one ball at a time. So that’s me.”
Looking Ahead
Alongside her red-ball ambitions, Rawal also acknowledged India’s broader objectives in white-ball cricket. As she awaits her T20I debut, the focus remains on building on ODI success and translating it into the shortest format.
With recovery complete and preparations in full swing, Rawal’s journey reflects a blend of discipline, patience, and clarity. As the Lord’s Test approaches, she appears ready to embrace the challenge—one step at a time.
