Navi Mumbai, 27 October 2025 — India suffered a major setback today ahead of the semi-final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 when opening batter Pratika Rawal has been officially ruled out of the tournament because of a severe ankle injury. The injury occurred during the group stage match against Bangladesh at the Dr DY Patil Stadium. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Shafali Verma will replace her in India’s squad for the remainder of the competition.
Rawal, aged 25, had been one of India’s standout performers in this edition of the tournament, amassing 308 runs in seven matches at an average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 77.77. Her contributions included a fluent 75 against Australia and a match-winning 122 against New Zealand, and her opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana had been central to India’s group-stage success.
The injury happened in the 21st over of Bangladesh’s innings when Rawal slipped on the wet outfield while attempting to stop a boundary. She appeared to twist her ankle and was assisted off the field. The BCCI medical team confirmed her ankle and knee were closely being monitored.
With India scheduled to face defending champions Australia women’s national cricket team in the semi-final on Thursday, 30 October, this development adds significant pressure on the Indian camp to regroup without one of their premier top-order batters.
India’s Pratika Rawal ruled out of Women’s World Cup 2025, Shafali Verma named replacement
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