Anjum Chopra backs Pratika Rawal after T20I debut in Women's Asia Cup

Anjum Chopra backed Pratika Rawal after the India batter made her T20I debut against Thailand in the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday, praising her intent and contributions with both bat and in the field. Rawal scored 22 off 18 balls as India defeated Thailand by 94 runs.

Rawal was drafted into India's squad after Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out with injury and came into the XI despite limited recent T20 action. She had not played a T20 since 2024 and did not feature for UP Warriorz in the 2026 Women's Premier League; her selection was largely based on an ODI record of 1,189 runs in 27 matches at an average of 47.56 before the Asia Cup.

Chopra highlighted Rawal’s start at the crease, saying: “She made a very good start in her own way. That first shot she played, where she scored six runs, I think that was her second scoring shot. At least, it shows the intent, and she understands that she is coming in at number three. There were already 38 runs on the board, so at that point she cannot just take singles and twos. She has to go out there and score runs,” Chopra told the broadcasters after the match. Rawal struck two fours and a six before being bowled by Suleeporn Laomi, her innings ending in the ninth over at a strike rate of 122.22.

The six came inside out over long-off off Sunida Chaturongrattana, an early sign of Rawal’s willingness to attack, and she also used her feet against Thailand's spinners during the brief innings. Those attacking moves were noted by Chopra as part of her assessment of Rawal’s approach in the middle.

Rawal also impacted the match in the field, taking a sharp catch at cover to dismiss Phannita Maya for six off Nandani Sharma. Maya came down the track to a fullish delivery, sliced the drive towards cover, and Rawal leapt to complete the catch above her head.

Chopra pointed to that fielding contribution as further evidence of Rawal’s effort, saying: “Then she came back onto the field and contributed with a catch like that. It just goes to show that she is at least making the effort to make her presence felt.”

On Rawal's role and future opportunities, Chopra added: “It is not certain that she will always get to bat at number three, but whatever opportunities she gets, maybe throughout the Asia Cup or perhaps at the Asian Games — we don't know, time will tell — every time she goes out there, she wants to make an impression. And that is probably the best part of Pratika Rawal.”

Chopra also reflected on Rawal's broader cricketing attributes: “Look, we have seen her in the World Cup, so we know how good she is. She is an intelligent girl and a good student of the game, as well as someone who understands its philosophy. But at the end of the day, when you go out there and make an effort, it shows, and that is what she is actually doing,” Chopra added.

Rawal's debut offers an early chance to stake a claim for top-order opportunities, though her place at No. 3 is not assured once Jemimah Rodrigues returns; India face Hong Kong on September 3 in their next Asia Cup match, where Rawal might get another opportunity to build on her start.