NAVI MUMBAI: With their 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal clash against formidable Australia just three days away at the DY Patil Stadium, India has been hit with a major injury scare. The final league match of the tournament against Bangladesh, held at the same venue on Sunday, was ultimately abandoned due to persistent unseasonal rain, but not before opener Pratika Rawal suffered a worrying ankle twist.
Rawal, who has been a standout performer as India’s second-highest run-scorer after veteran Smriti Mandhana, accumulated an impressive 308 runs in six matches at an average of 51.33. Her stellar contributions include a half-century against Australia and a magnificent 122 off 134 balls against New Zealand in the previous game. The unfortunate incident occurred in the 21st over of Bangladesh’s innings when she fell while aggressively charging a ball at long-on.
Though she wasn’t stretchered off, the 25-year-old was assisted off the field by her teammates, managing to walk with some support, which suggests the injury might not be a fracture. The BCCI quickly issued an update, stating: ‘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.’
In Rawal’s absence, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur (15 not out) opened India’s innings alongside Mandhana (34 not out from 27 balls, with 6 fours). India had reached 57 for no loss in the ninth over while chasing 126 in 27 overs (D/L method) when rain intervened for the fifth and final time, leading to the abandonment of the match. India’s hopes for an upset against Australia in the semifinals will heavily rely on the consistent opening partnership of Mandhana and Rawal, making her recovery critical.
This is the second significant injury concern for the Indian camp, following explosive wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who hurt her finger in the 55-run victory over New Zealand at the same venue. Ghosh was rested for the Bangladesh match, allowing Uma Chetry to make her Women’s ODI debut. The 23-year-old Chetry is now the first woman cricketer from Assam and the wider Northeast region to represent India in the Women’s World Cup. The team will be anxiously hoping for both Pratika and Richa to make a timely recovery for the crucial semifinal encounter.
Radha Yadav Shines with 3-30 to Restrict Bangladesh
Meanwhile, in what became her first game of the tournament, left-arm spinner Radha Yadav seized her opportunity, delivering an impressive spell of three for 30 in six overs. Her performance played a key role in restricting Bangladesh to 119 for nine in their allotted 27 overs after India opted to bowl first. Demonstrating her prowess as one of the team’s best fielders, Radha also executed a brilliant direct hit at the non-striker’s end to run out Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana (9 off 24 balls).
After a lengthy 135-minute rain delay, Bangladesh resumed their innings at 39 for two in 12.2 overs, only to collapse rapidly. They lost seven wickets while managing to add only 80 runs from 88 balls. Left-arm spinner Shree Charini also capitalized on the conditions, picking up two for 23 in her six overs. Another highlight in the field was substitute pacer Arundhati Reddy’s exceptional catch, sprinting from deep mid-wicket and diving forward to dismiss Bangladesh’s top-scorer Sharmin Akhter (36 off 43 balls, with 4 fours), celebrating with exultation.
Despite the initial threat of a complete washout, it was heartwarming to witness around 15,000 spectators remain at the DY Patil Stadium, a regular venue for women’s international cricket, cheering enthusiastically for the ‘Women-In-Blue’. Although India had already secured their semifinal spot, rendering the match inconsequential, many passionate fans stayed, with music filling the background, eagerly awaiting the resumption of play.
Looking ahead, there’s also a possibility of rain affecting the second semifinal and the final of the World Cup, both scheduled to be held in Navi Mumbai. However, the good news for fans and teams alike is that, according to ICC rules, reserve days are in place for both the semifinals and the final.
On a dreary Sunday afternoon, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss, a moment that came after a 35-minute delay. This was a significant win, as it marked Harmanpreet’s first toss victory for India Women in ODIs after an eight-match losing streak, which was their joint-longest in the format, matching Mithali Raj’s streak between February and July 2006.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh struggled with the challenging conditions even before the rain returned. In the very first over, Sumaiya Akter sliced a wide delivery outside off-stump to Charani at short third. Rubya Haider, who managed a slow 13 runs off 32 balls, lofted a Deepti Sharma delivery straight to Harleen Deol at mid-off. India had made three changes to their lineup for this non-decisive match, resting pacer Kranti Goud and off-spinning all-rounder Sneh Rana, and bringing in Amanjot.