Who is Prema Rawat? 4 interesting facts about RCB's ₹1.2 crore signing at WPL 2025 Auction

Uncapped all-rounder Prema Rawat was signed by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the defending champions of the Women's Premier League (WPL), at the auction ahead of the 2025 season.

RCB splurged INR 1.2 crore for the 23-year-old who hails from Haridwar and plays for Uttarakhand Women. The Bengaluru-based franchise was involved in a bidding war with the Delhi Capitals to acquire the services of the all-rounder for the upcoming season.

Her impressive display in the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) 2024 led her to bag a contract of INR 1.2 crore, with her base price being just INR 10 lakh. Prema Rawat, with her ability to contribute with both bat and ball, brings balance and value.

Being a leg-spinner, she can also serve as an ideal backup option for Asha Sobhana in the RCB side. As she is set to join the 2024 WPL winners, here are some interesting facts about the Uttarakhand Women's team cricketer.

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4 interesting facts about Prema Rawat

#4 Prema Rawat impressed in UPL 2024 final

Prema Rawat made a name for herself with her display in the first edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL). Playing for the Mussorie Thunders, she scored an unbeaten 32 in the final to help them clinch the title.

For her match-winning display in the final, she was also awarded the Player of the Match award. She also impressed with her bowling in the tournament, picking up four wickets from three matches at an economy rate of 4.08. Therefore, her all-round abilities can come in handy for RCB when needed.

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#3 Prema's all-round performances in domestic cricket

With her ability to bowl leg-spin and bat lower down the order, Prema Rawat provides stability and an extra bowling option as a leg-spinner, which comes as a luxury for any side in T20 cricket.

The right-handed batter and right-arm leg-break bowler has played a total of 49 matches across all formats so far. She has scored 184 runs and has also grabbed 54 wickets with the ball.

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#2 Leading wicket-taker in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2023

Prema Rawat has been a regular member in the Uttarakhand Women's team. The all-rounder hails from a small village in Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, named Sumti. She is an integral member of the team and has put up key performances.

Prema played a vital role for them in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy 2023, where she finished as the leading wicket-taker, with 16 scalps from 10 matches. Moreover, she made it difficult for batters to score freely, maintaining an economy rate of just 5.55 in the tournament.

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#1 Rawat started playing cricket with boys

Prema Rawat, similar to several women cricketers in India, began her cricketing journey by playing the sport with boys. Her father Vimal Rawat and brother Hemant would practice cricket with her, helping her develop interest and begin playing the sport.

With time, Prema broke into the Uttarakhand Women's team. Interestingly, the 23-year-old is now based in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, while she plays domestic cricket for Uttarakhand Women.