New Delhi, Oct 27 (NationPress) The Indian cricket team faces a significant setback as opener Pratika Rawal will not participate in the upcoming 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia due to injuries sustained to her right ankle and knee during the interrupted league match against Bangladesh at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Sunday.

During the 21st over of Bangladesh’s innings, Pratika suffered a severe ankle twist while trying to prevent a boundary at cow corner, causing her right foot to become lodged in the surface. Although a stretcher was requested, she managed to leave the field with assistance from the physiotherapist and her teammates, despite being in considerable pain.

With Pratika unable to play, seam-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur has been elevated to open the batting alongside vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, as India reached 57/0 before rain halted the match, resulting in a split of points.

According to IANS, following the match's abandonment, Pratika, who is currently the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 308 runs in six innings, was taken to a hospital for further examination.

“An official update is pending, but initial assessments indicate that she is unlikely to participate in the semi-finals. Given the nature of her injury, it is extremely challenging to prepare for such a crucial match in three days. It would not be surprising if she were also ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup,” informed sources close to the situation to IANS on Monday.

If Pratika is officially sidelined from the World Cup, the Indian management will seek an injury replacement and submit the request to the ICC Technical Committee prior to the vital match against the defending champions, Australia.

In terms of available reserves, Tejal Hasabnis is the sole specialist batter, while Shafali Verma, who is not listed, could be a potential option. Pratika’s injury is a significant loss for India’s aspirations to secure their first trophy on home turf.

Her reliable opening partnership with Smriti has been a key element of India’s batting success throughout the tournament, and her absence creates a notable gap in the top order ahead of facing a formidable opponent like Australia, who are currently uncertain about the availability of skipper Alyssa Healy, due to a left calf strain that has kept her out of the last two league matches.