Women’s World Cup: Injured Pratika Rawal set to miss India’s semi-final clash against Australia

October 27, 2025

New Delhi: India opener Pratika Rawal is likely to miss the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia after suffering injuries to her right ankle and knee during the washed-out league match against Bangladesh at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Sunday.

Injury During Fielding Effort

The incident occurred in the 21st over of Bangladesh’s innings when Pratika twisted her ankle while attempting to stop a boundary at cow corner. Her right foot got stuck in the surface, causing her to fall awkwardly.

Though a stretcher was called, Pratika managed to hobble off the field in visible pain with support from the physio and her teammates.

In her absence, Amanjot Kaur, the seam-bowling all-rounder, was promoted to open the innings with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. India had reached 57/0 before rain forced the match to be abandoned, resulting in shared points between the two sides.

Scans Indicate Serious Injury

Following the match, Pratika — currently the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 308 runs in six innings — was taken for medical scans.

“An official word is yet to come, but from the initial looks, it doesn’t seem like she will play the semis. With the kind of injury she had yesterday, it’s extremely difficult to get ready for such a crucial game in three days. It won’t be a surprise if she’s even ruled out of the rest of the World Cup,” sources told IANS on Monday.

Replacement Options Under Consideration

If Pratika is ruled out, the Indian team management is expected to seek an injury replacement, subject to ICC Technical Committee approval before the semi-final clash against reigning champions Australia.

Among reserves, Tejal Hasabnis is the only specialist batter, while Shafali Verma, though not listed as a reserve, could also be considered as a contingency option.

Major Blow to India’s Campaign

Pratika’s injury is a significant setback to India’s bid for their first-ever Women’s World Cup trophy on home soil. Her consistent partnerships with Smriti Mandhana have been a pillar of India’s top-order success throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, Australia are also monitoring the fitness of captain Alyssa Healy, who missed the last two league games due to a left calf strain.