Leg-spinning all-rounder Prema Rawat has been handed her India debut on Sunday ahead of the side’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against South Africa.

Prema, who was already in England with the India A team, was called up as Shreyanka Patil’s replacement in the Indian squad after the off-spinner had sustained an ankle injury against the Netherlands.

Who is Prema Rawat, the India debutant against South Africa in Women’s T20 World Cup 2026?

The 24-year-old from the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand first came into the spotlight after she became a crorepati ahead of the 2025 edition of the Women’s Premier League. Royal Challengers Bengaluru had acquired her services for Rs. 1.2 crore for her ‘3D talent’, as said by the franchise’s assistant coach, Malolan Rangarajan.

Read Prema Rawat’s story | From giving up hockey to becoming a crorepati in WPL: RCB’s Prema Rawat ready to showcase her ‘3D’ talent

Cricket, however, wasn’t on her plate all the time. She first dabbled with athletics at the school level, before doing well in hockey. Then a conversation with her father in Class 12 diverted her sporting journey towards cricket.

Also known for her gun fielding, Prema has slowly chosen her wicket-taking skills and the intent to hit big with the bat in the domestic cricket.

Published on Jun 21, 2026