India batter Pratika Rawal has opened up about the emotional and physical toll of fracturing her leg during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, revealing that she sensed the severity of the impact immediately after falling in the match against Bangladesh — but refused to be carried off the field.

The Moment of Injury

Rawal recalled knowing instinctively that something was seriously wrong even before any medical examination. 'When I fell down during the match against Bangladesh, I knew something was wrong. I'm very aware of my body, and the impact didn't feel right. I didn't want to leave on a stretcher, so I was determined to walk, even if I had to limp,' she said, speaking to JioStar.

After returning to the dressing room under her own strength, she informed the team's Head of Sports Science and Medicine. An X-ray subsequently confirmed a fracture, bringing her 2025 World Cup campaign to an immediate end.

The Emotional Aftermath

The injury forced Rawal to watch India's knockout matches — including the semi-final and final — from the sidelines, an experience she described as a 'mix of emotions.' She watched the semi-final from her hotel room alongside her father, who had been present in the stands when she was hurt.

'My dad was in the stands and kept calling me, but my phone was with the manager. When our physio told me he was worried, I asked her to let him know I was okay, even though I knew I wasn't,' Rawal recalled. She added that the support of those around her made a significant difference during that difficult period.

A Remarkable Return Against Zimbabwe

Rawal's comeback to competitive cricket produced a striking coincidence. She scored a century in the first ODI against Zimbabwe on 23 October — the exact same date on which she had registered a hundred against New Zealand during the 2025 World Cup.

The coincidence was noticed just before the Zimbabwe match, when highlights of India's World Cup campaign appeared on television. A conversation with head coach Amol Muzumdar and senior batter Smriti Mandhana then inspired her to try to replicate the feat.

'We were stepping out to bat in the first ODI against Zimbabwe, and the highlights of the India vs New Zealand match from the 2025 World Cup were being played on TV and there was this small font written which said on this day. I had scored a hundred in that World Cup match, and I asked Amol sir whether this match had been played on 23rd October. He said yes, it was on this exact date. So, we were having this conversation with Smriti di and Amol sir and we decided to recreate this. And I scored a hundred in that match against Zimbabwe. It felt really good to score a century on the exact same date,' Rawal said.

Resilience as a Defining Trait

Rawal's refusal to be stretchered off — and her subsequent return to form with a century — has drawn widespread admiration. This comes amid growing recognition of India Women's depth in batting, with young players stepping up under pressure at major tournaments. Her story underscores both the physical demands of top-level cricket and the mental fortitude required to bounce back from serious injury at a marquee event.

With the Women's cricket calendar continuing to build momentum, Rawal's form on return will be closely watched by selectors heading into India's next assignment.