New Delhi : Indian opener Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the tournament before the semi-finals due to injury, has finally received her ICC World Champion medal. According to ICC regulations, players not part of the playing squad during the final are generally ineligible for medals, which initially left Pratika without one. However, in the end, she has been presented with the prestigious medal.
Pratika, who was replaced by Shafali Verma in the semifinal and final—where Shafali went on to win the Player of the Final award—told reporters on Friday, “I’ve finally received this precious medal. Someone told me that (ICC Chairman) Jay Shah personally sent it for me. I’m extremely happy. The medal was meant to come to me anyway; some people unnecessarily made it a social media issue.”
Meanwhile, the World Champion Indian women’s team was given a hero’s welcome in their respective hometowns on Friday. The players had earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, where they were felicitated for their historic triumph.
In Siliguri (West Bengal), wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh received a warm welcome, while in Mohali (Punjab), Harleen Deol and Amanjot Kaur were greeted with grand celebrations by family and friends.