Warwickshire Bears sign Pratika Rawal for One-Day Cup

By Sanjay Menon — 28 July 2026 — 3 min read

Rawal joins Warwickshire for domestic season

Pratika Rawal, the India opener, has signed with Warwickshire Women for the remainder of the 2026 domestic season. The agreement will see Rawal join the squad for the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, with her availability for selection beginning from Warwickshire‘s next fixture on August 19. This move is expected to bolster the county side’s batting line-up as they aim for a strong finish in the competition.

The club officially announced Rawal’s signing, confirming that she will remain with the Bears until the conclusion of the 2026 season. Her arrival is timely, as Warwickshire currently holds fifth place in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup standings. The team is focused on securing a top-three finish to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.

Return from injury and international career

Rawal’s signing with Warwickshire also marks her return to competitive cricket following a knee injury. The injury, which required stitches, occurred during an India A match in Taunton on July 1. This unfortunately ruled her out of India‘s one-off Test against England at Lord’s, a historic first-ever Women’s Test at the venue between the two nations.

Prior to her injury, Rawal was part of India‘s squad and had been representing India A in a three-match one-day series against England A. She participated in the opening match of that series but sustained the injury during the second game. As a result, she did not bat in the run chase and subsequently missed the final match of the series, leading to her withdrawal from the Lord’s Test. Priya Punia was later named as her replacement.

Since her international debut in December 2024, Rawal has established herself as a prominent batting talent for India. She holds the record for being the fastest woman to achieve 500 ODI runs, reaching this milestone in just eight innings. Her contributions were also significant during India‘s successful Women’s ODI World Cup campaign in 2025, where she scored 308 runs, including a century against New Zealand, helping her team secure the title.

Club and player statements

The club expressed enthusiasm about Rawal’s addition, highlighting that her calibre would strengthen the squad’s efforts to conclude the season positively. Warwickshire Bears Women head coach Ali Maiden welcomed the signing, stating that it is a fantastic acquisition for the team and that they are pleased to welcome her to Edgbaston.

Maiden further commented on the team’s current standing in the One Day Cup table, noting it as a good position. He believes that bringing in a player of Rawal’s skill set will enhance their line-up as they aim for a strong finish to the season. The club anticipates that Rawal’s arrival will provide additional firepower at the top of the batting order during the critical closing stages of the competition.

Rawal herself shared her excitement about joining Warwickshire, mentioning that she has heard many positive things about the club. She expressed eagerness to begin her stint and contribute as much as possible to the team. She also looks forward to the experience of playing county cricket in England and the prospect of walking out at Edgbaston, which she described as an iconic ground in world cricket.

Warwickshire Bears Women currently have 22 points from 11 matches in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and are scheduled to face Yorkshire on August 19.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com