India's Pratika Rawal Ruled Out of Women's ODI World Cup 2025 Semifinal

Major Setback for Team India

Team India has encountered a significant setback as opener Pratika Rawal has been officially ruled out of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025. This news comes just ahead of their semifinal match against the reigning champions, Australia, scheduled for Thursday, October 30, at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Pratika sustained a serious ankle injury while fielding during Bangladesh's innings. She slipped and fell on a wet field, which had been affected by continuous rain in Navi Mumbai. Immediate medical assistance was provided, and she was subsequently taken off the field. In her absence, Smriti Mandhana and Amanjot Kaur opened the innings against Bangladesh.

Injury Update and Replacement

According to an official announcement from the BCCI Women, Pratika Rawal has suffered injuries to both her knee and ankle, with the medical team closely monitoring her condition. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed hope for Pratika's recovery before the crucial semifinal against Australia.

The International Cricket Council has confirmed Pratika Rawal's unavailability for the remainder of the Women's World Cup 2025 due to her ankle injury. Shafali Verma has been named as her replacement for the semifinal and potential final, should India qualify.

"India have named Shafali Verma as her replacement with a significant semifinal matchup against defending champions Australia on Thursday, 30 October," stated the ICC.

Impact of Pratika Rawal's Absence

The absence of Pratika Rawal is a considerable loss for the Women in Blue, as she has been one of the most reliable performers for the team. After a slow start in the first three matches against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and South Africa, Rawal excelled with a 75-run performance against Australia.

In India's crucial league match against New Zealand, the 25-year-old scored an impressive 122 runs off 134 balls, forming a 202-run opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana, which was pivotal in securing a 53-run victory. Currently, Pratika is the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 308 runs, including a century and a fifty, with an average of 51.33 across six innings.

Shafali Varma's Return to the Squad

Initially, selectors had focused on Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana as the opening pair for the Women's World Cup 2025, leading to Shafali Varma's exclusion from the 15-member squad. Shafali has not represented Team India since October of the previous year due to inconsistent performances, while Pratika's strong showing had pushed her down the selection list.

However, Shafali demonstrated signs of regaining her form during the India A ODI series against Australia A in August. She also performed well in a warm-up match against New Zealand, scoring 70 runs off 49 balls.

Although Shafali was not included in the reserves for the Women's World Cup 2025, she met the eligibility criteria for a direct replacement. The young opener is expected to play in the semifinal against Australia and aims to make a significant impact upon her return to international cricket.