Navi Mumbai— In a major setback for Team India ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final, opening batter Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament following a severe ankle injury sustained during the final group stage match against Bangladesh at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the development on Monday evening, announcing that Shafali Verma will replace the 25-year-old for the rest of the competition. Rawal’s injury comes as a significant blow, with India set to face defending champions Australia in the semi-final on Thursday, October 30, in Navi Mumbai.
Rawal, one of India’s most consistent performers, is currently the second-highest run-scorer of the eight-team tournament, with 308 runs in seven matches at an average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 77.77. She played two memorable knocks — a fluent 75 against Australia in Visakhapatnam and a match-winning 122 against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai.
Her partnership with Smriti Mandhana has been central to India’s success, including a record 212-run opening stand in a must-win encounter against New Zealand last week.
“India’s opening batter Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 following an ankle injury that she sustained while fielding near the ropes, trying to prevent a boundary on the last ball of the 21st over,” the ICC said in an official statement. “India have named Shafali Verma as her replacement, with a big semi-final matchup scheduled against defending champions Australia on Thursday, 30 October,” it added.
Rawal suffered the injury in the 21st over of Bangladesh’s innings when she slipped on the wet outfield while attempting to stop a boundary. She appeared to twist her ankle and was helped off the field by her teammates after refusing a stretcher.
“Team India all-rounder Pratika Rawal sustained an injury to her knee and ankle while fielding in the first innings against Bangladesh. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring her progress,” the board said in its Sunday update.
Amanjot Kaur replaced Rawal as an opener in India’s rain-affected match against Bangladesh, which was eventually abandoned, resulting in both teams sharing a point. India finished the group stage in fourth place with seven points, while Australia topped the table with 13 points.
The Indian camp now faces the tough task of regrouping ahead of the high-stakes semi-final without one of its most prolific top-order batters.
