Navi Mumbai: Just 48 hours before their highly anticipated 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal showdown against powerhouse Australia at the DY Patil Stadium, India’s campaign has been dealt a significant blow. In-form opener Pratika Rawal has been officially ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to injuries to her knee and ankle.
The unfortunate incident occurred during India’s final league-stage match against Bangladesh at the same venue on Sunday night. While the match was eventually abandoned due to persistent, unseasonal rain, Rawal twisted her ankle in the 21st over of Bangladesh’s innings. She fell awkwardly while aggressively fielding a ball at deep mid-wicket and had to be helped off the field by the team’s support staff, visibly hobbling.
Despite the excellent drainage system at the DY Patil Stadium, which saw the main square and a large portion of the ground covered during the downpour, there were noticeable puddles of water in certain unprotected areas of the outfield, which likely contributed to her injury.
The 25-year-old Delhi batter has been a standout performer for India in this World Cup, emerging as the second-highest run-scorer for the team, just behind her experienced opening partner Smriti Mandhana. Her impressive tally includes 308 runs from six matches at an average of 51.33, featuring a crucial half-century against Australia and a commanding 134-ball 122 against New Zealand.
Rawal has showcased remarkable consistency since her debut against West Indies in Vadodara last December, accumulating 1,110 runs in just 23 Women’s One Day Internationals (WODIs) at an outstanding average of 50.45, with seven fifties and two centuries to her name.
Her stellar form also saw her achieve a significant milestone during the century against New Zealand on Thursday, becoming the joint-fastest player, alongside Australia’s Lindsay Reeler, to reach 1,000 WODI runs in only 23 innings.
Her partnership with Smriti Mandhana has been exceptionally productive, with the duo forging a record-breaking 212-run stand against New Zealand – India’s highest opening partnership in World Cup history.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had issued an update on Sunday night regarding her injury, 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.’
Following the injury, Pratika underwent urgent scans to assess the extent of the damage. With Rawal now out, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur (15 not out) stepped up to open India’s innings with Mandhana (34 not out, 27b, 6×4). In the rain-affected match, India was set a target of 127 runs in 27 overs via the D/L method and had reached 57 for no loss in the ninth over before rain halted play for the fifth and final time, leading to the match’s abandonment.