Expressing a deep connection with Test cricket, Pratika Rawal describes it as a format that truly defines a cricketer’s character and resilience. She made her debut in the Day-Night Perth Test against Australia alongside Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud and Kashvee Gautam.
After being dismissed for 18 in the first innings by Annabel Sutherland, Pratika bounced back to reach her maiden Test fifty in the second innings, making 63 runs with eight fours, although India lost the match by 10 wickets.
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Crediting her father and coach for emphasizing the importance of excelling in Test cricket from an early age, she said watching legends like Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting inspired her approach.
“Test cricket is one of the most beautiful formats the game has to offer and I’ve said it a million times – and I’ll say it again. As a kid, my father and my coach always told me that this is the format I need to do well. When you’re groomed like that, naturally you start feeling that it’s your format and you have to succeed in it,” Pratika told PTI.
“I grew up watching batting videos of legends like Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting and admired how they bat in Test cricket. It’s a format that really tests your patience, character, determination and focus.”
“It’s a perfect measure of who you are as a cricketer and whether you have the fighting spirit to survive in a Test match. I can honestly go on and on in this format,” said Pratika.
VIDEOS | Pratika Rawal Indian Dough (@PratikaRawal64) talks at length about the current scenario of the game.
On being blessed by DDCA, she says, “Very happy to be recognized… It’s an incredible feeling to come back to Delhi and receive this award from Rohan sir,” she says pic.twitter.com/iHRN0BrvnX— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 16, 2026
PRACTICE BATS FOR MORE TESTS
Pratika also emphasized that playing more Test cricket benefits the players immensely. The Perth Test was India’s first since the July 2024 home Test against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. India will also face England in a one-off Test at Lord’s this July.
Pratika emphasized that the experience gained from Test matches not only improves the players’ skills but also their character. He believes that playing more Tests will greatly help the development and boost the overall performance of the team.
“Of course it goes without saying – the more Test cricket you play, the better it is. The kind of experience you get from playing a Test match improves you immensely, not only as a player but also as an individual. So the more matches we play in this format, the more it will do wonders for us,” Pratika added.
Pratika made her mark primarily in ODIs for India, amassing 1,189 runs in 89 matches at an average of 47.56, including two hundreds and eight half-centuries. She also played a key role in India Women’s title-winning Women’s World Cup campaign, scoring a century against New Zealand.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
16 March 2026 23:44 IST
