In a recent development, Indian women’s team opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2025 ICC ODI World Cup after sustaining a serious injury. Shafali Verma, who was not part of the squad or reserves, has been named as her replacement ahead of the semi-final against Australia.
Pratika suffered a serious ankle injury in the last league match against Bangladesh while trying to stop a second run on a damp outfield. She twisted her ankle and fell awkwardly. The opener chose to leave the field with the help of her teammates despite a stretcher being brought out.
Shafali Verma replaces Pratika Rawal in the Indian squad for the remainder of the World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday confirmed that Pratika Rawal has been excluded from the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Shafali Verma has been named as her replacement in the squad ahead of the semi-final against defending champions Australia.
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“India’s opening batsman Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 following an ankle injury she sustained while playing on the ropes, trying to avoid a boundary on the last ball of the 21st over,” the ICC said in an official press release.
“India has appointed Shafali Verma as her replacement with a major semi-final scheduled against defending champions Australia on Thursday, October 30,” the statement said.
Pratika Rawal’s injury is a major setback for India ahead of the semi-final against Australia
Pratika Rawal’s injury is a major setback for India ahead of the semi-final against Australia scheduled for October 30 in Navi Mumbai. The opener was in excellent form throughout the tournament.
She is the second highest run-scorer, with 308 runs in seven matches at an average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 77.77. Rawal has produced several crucial performances including 75 against Australia in Visakhapatnam and a match-winning 122 against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai.
Her partnership with Smriti Mandhana has been equally important to India’s success. The duo consistently provided solid starts, with two record stands, a 212-run partnership against New Zealand and an opening stand of 155 runs against Australia.
Besides her batting contributions, Rawal also impressed with the ball, taking one wicket for 19 runs in the match against New Zealand. Her absence will be felt as India prepare for their high-stakes encounter with Australia.
Will Shafali Verma go straight into the Indian team for the semi-final?
The selectors chose Shafali Verma as Pratika Rawal’s replacement ahead of Tejal Hasabnis, the only reserve batsman in the squad. Shafali played in 29 ODIs and scored 644 runs at an average of 23.00 and a strike rate of 83.20, including four half-centuries.
She has not played an ODI for India since October 2024, but the 21-year-old has remained active in the 50-over format through India A and domestic cricket. She impressed with scores of 52 against Australia A and 70 against New Zealand A.
The opener also amassed 527 runs at an average of 75.28 during the domestic one-day competition for Haryana. In particular, the team management will have to make a major decision on whether Shafali will be brought straight into the XI against Australia or Harleen Deol will be promoted to open the innings.
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