Why Did Pratika Rawal Went Unsold in WPL Auction 2026?

India's star opener Pratika Rawal was expected to be a star player in the WPL Auction 2026. Pratika has had a terrific last few months and played a key role in India's Women's World Cup win recently where she emerged as one of the highest run-scorers of the tournament.

However, she went unsold in the WPL auction 2026, leading to a huge surprise among the fans. Rawal's name came up in the accelerated rounds of the auction but there were no buyers for her.

Pratika Rawal Unsold in WPL Auction 2026

Pratika Rawal WPL team was one of the most searched things on internet given her excellent batting form in international cricket. Despite being in good form, she has gone unsold in the first few rounds which will disappoint her. However, there could be many reasons for her remaining unsold.

Before the WPL 2026 auction, it had become clear that even if Pratika Rawal or Yastika Bhatia get picked, their replacements won't be allowed. However, they can be available to play the tournament if they get fit. This might be the main reason for Pratika Rawal WPL auction disappointment.

Rawal got injured midway during the Women's World Cup 2025 and missed the latter part of the tournament. Shafali Verma replaced her and played a match-winning knock in the final to take India to the title.

Moreover, Rawal is a technically solid batter known for her temperament. She is one of the best women cricketers in the world right now. She has an ability to play long innings and can take the game deep. However, the modern-day T20 cricket requires scoring runs with intent, a form of batting Pratika isn't known for.

Can Pratika Rawal Play WPL 2026?

Despite getting unsold initially, Pratika Rawal was picked up by UP Warriorz for INR 50 lakh in the accelerated round. Despite the risk of Pratika Rawal injury, UP Warriorz picked her, however, she will only play if she gets fit in time. Her strong temperament and form makes her a strong choice for any team.

During the Women's World Cup 2025, Rawal finished with 308 in 6 innings at a staggering average of 51.33. She finished as India's second-highest run-getter of the tournament, just behind Smriti Mandhana. She will be aiming to be fit in time and turn up for her maiden WPL stint.