Navi Mumbai: In a crushing blow to India’s aspirations, just 48 hours before their pivotal 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal showdown against powerhouse Australia at the DY Patil Stadium, star opener Pratika Rawal has been officially ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. She sustained debilitating knee and ankle injuries during India’s final league-stage encounter against Bangladesh at the very same venue on Sunday night.
The incident occurred during the 21st over of Bangladesh’s innings, amidst unrelenting, unseasonal rain that ultimately led to the match being abandoned. Rawal suffered a twisted ankle after an awkward fall while aggressively charging for the ball at deep mid-wicket. Team support staff immediately rushed to her aid, helping her hobble off the field, a sight that cast a pall over the Indian camp.
Despite the DY Patil Stadium boasting an excellent drainage system, with the main square and a significant portion of the ground covered during the downpour, several unprotected areas of the outfield had accumulated substantial puddles of water, likely contributing to the unfortunate mishap.
The 25-year-old Delhi batter has been a revelation for India in this World Cup, emerging as the team’s second-highest run-scorer, trailing only her seasoned opening partner Smriti Mandhana. Her impressive tally of 308 runs in six matches at an average of 51.33 includes a crucial half-century against Australia and a magnificent 134-ball 122 against New Zealand.
Rawal’s consistency has been remarkable since her debut against West Indies in Vadodara last December. In just 23 Women’s ODI matches, she has amassed 1,110 runs at an impressive average of 50.45, featuring seven half-centuries and two centuries.
Her century against New Zealand earlier this week saw her etch her name in the record books, becoming the joint-fastest alongside Australia’s Lindsay Reeler to reach 1,000 WODI runs in just 23 innings.
Together with Smriti Mandhana, this dynamic young talent had formed an incredibly productive opening partnership, including a record-breaking 212-run stand against New Zealand—the highest for India in Women’s World Cups.
The BCCI had issued an official update on her injury on Sunday night, 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.” Pratika subsequently underwent scans to assess the extent of her injuries.
With Pratika sidelined, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur (15 not out) stepped up to open India’s innings alongside Mandhana (34 not out from 27 balls, including 6 fours) in the rain-affected match. India had reached 57 for no loss in the ninth over while chasing a revised target of 127 in 27 overs (D/L method) before rain once again halted play for the fifth and final time.
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