NEW DELHI: After Indian women's team batter Pratika Rawal was seen wearing her World Cup medal during the team's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence on Wednesday, it appeared that the ICC had amended its rule and awarded her a medal, even though she was not part of the squad in the knockout stages of the tournament.

As per ICC regulations, only members of the final 15-player squad are eligible to receive winners' medals. Since Rawal was replaced before the semifinal, she missed out on the honour - despite her crucial contributions with the bat that had laid the foundation for India's title-winning campaign.

However, it was later clarified that all-rounder Amanjot Kaur had handed her medal to Pratika during a photoshoot, as Pratika was posing without one - a touching gesture that captured the hearts of fans. The image quickly went viral, with social media lauding Amanjot's humility and sportsmanship.

Pratika, who was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an ankle injury during India's final group match against Bangladesh, had been one of the team's standout performers before her setback. The 24-year-old amassed 308 runs - the second-highest for India - including a century and a half-century.

"When I was injured, a lot of members in the team said that we want to win this World Cup for Pratika. I got to know this from someone outside the team. When we won the finals, I was the 16th player, but I was given the same respect. I was taken to the stage in a wheelchair. This team is like a family. When a family plays together, it becomes difficult to beat that team. This team deserved to win the finals," Pratika said during the team's interaction with PM Modi.

"Team spirit matters a lot, not only on the field. If we know the strengths and weaknesses of each other, it helps us a lot," Modi responded.