Pratika Rawal Ruled Out from Women's World Cup: Ahead of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 semi-final against Australia, the Indian team has suffered a major setback. The team's star opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. In the last league stage match against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai, Pratika suffered an injury while taking a catch, after which she had to leave the field.
This incident happened in the 21st over of Bangladesh's innings. Sharmin Akhtar shot towards midwicket off Deepti Sharma. Raval ran to his left to intercept the ball, but his foot suddenly slipped and his ankle twisted. Rawal fell on the ground moaning in pain. After this she went out of the field with the help of physio.
After this she did not come out to bat in India's innings. In his place, Amanjot Kaur opened the innings with Smriti Mandhana. India batted for 8.4 overs in a rain-affected match, with Amanjot scoring an unbeaten 15. The match was canceled due to rain.
"Team India all-rounder Pratika Rawal sustained an injury to her knee and ankle while fielding in the 1st innings against Bangladesh. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring her progress"- BCCI updated on social media.
The 25-year-old Pratika Rawal, who scored a century against New Zealand, has scored 308 runs in six matches for India in the tournament and has been the team's second most successful batsman after Smriti Mandhana. He scored a brilliant century of 122 off 134 balls against New Zealand in Mumbai on 23 October to ensure India's place in the semi-finals. At the same time, he also scored a half-century against Australia.
Shefali Verma as Replacement
Shefali Verma has been approved to replace Prathika in the team. The 21-year-old batsman's record in ODIs is superb. He has scored 644 runs with four fifties in the 29 matches he has played so far. His best in this format has been 71* runs. Shefali last played in ODI a year ago against New Zealand. Since then she has not been part of the team. Now once again he is ready to return to the field.
Before the World Cup, playing for India A, Shefali Verma played an innings of 70 runs in 49 balls against New Zealand. Shefali is also currently the highest run-scorer in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy. In this tournament he has scored 341 runs at an average of 56.83 and he has batted at a strike rate of 182.
On the other hand, the fitness of Richa Ghosh is also doubted. This wicketkeeper batsman got injured in the finger against New Zealand and after that she was out of the match against Bangladesh.
