With the clock ticking in the run-up to the blockbuster Women’s World Cup semifinal between India and Australia in Navi Mumbai on October 30, all eyes are on who will replace injured in-form opener Pratika Rawal.
Rawal was on Monday ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after injuring her knee and ankle during the match against Bangladesh. She twisted her right ankle while fielding at deep midwicket, off the final ball of the 21st over in a rain-affected match on Sunday. Her foot got stuck in the damp outfield at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, and had to helped off the field. She did not come out to bat during India’s chase of the 120-run target, with Amanjot Kaur partnering Smriti Mandhana at the top.
🚨 UPDATE#TeamIndia all-rounder Pratika Rawal sustained an injury to her knee and ankle while fielding in the 1st innings against Bangladesh. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring her progress.#WomenInBlue | #CWC25 | #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/JDocwJEF9A
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 26, 2025
Rawal has been in good form at the top, emerging as the second highest run-getter at the World Cup, behind Mandhana, with 308 runs at an average of 51.33 in six innings. The 25-year-old had scored a century against New Zealand, leading India to a 53-run win to seal a spot in the semifinals.
It remains to be seen if India will persist with Kaur in the high-stakes clash. Former India captain Mithali Raj was not convinced with India’s decision to open with Kaur against Bangladesh, and said that Harleen Deol could have come out with Mandhana.
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"Ideally, today was a great opportunity for Harleen to open and build that equation with Smriti.... Sending Amanjot to open was something I didn't quite understand. Yes, she needed some time out in the middle, but perhaps she could have slotted in at number three instead of opening," Raj said on JioStar.
Since Deol bats at number 3, Raj said that she should be the first option as the opener if Rawal is unfit.
Raj also suggested another change in the playing XI – persisting with wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry if Richa Ghosh misses the match due to a finger injury. Ghosh scored a 77-ball 94 against South Africa, but has not been able to convert her starts into big scores in the other matches.
