Pratika Rawal Injury Update
Pratika Rawal, India's dynamic opener, has been officially ruled out of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final against Australia due to a painful ankle and knee injury suffered during the match against Bangladesh. The incident unfolded in the 21st over, as Rawal sprinted across the outfield chasing a boundary shot. She slipped on the damp turf, her foot caught awkwardly, and the entire stadium seemed to freeze as she went down clutching her leg. For a moment, everyone held their breath: players, fans, and support staff. Medical personnel rushed to her aid, with a stretcher brought out. But in a show of grit (and maybe stubborn pride), Rawal chose to walk off with help, hobbling to the dugout, wincing in obvious pain.
On Twitter, @BCCIWomen posted an update that Team India all-rounder Pratika Rawal sustained a knee and ankle injury while fielding in the 1st innings against Bangladesh. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring her progress.
The BCCI initially provided a hopeful update, saying their medical team would monitor her closely. Fans clung to optimism. Would she be back for the knockouts? But reality sank in quickly after scans revealed a severe ankle sprain, possibly with a fracture. Rawal, whose 308 runs in six matches made her the tournament’s second-highest scorer, was officially ruled out. That’s a huge blow, considering she’d just cracked a century against New Zealand and looked in peak form. Her fearless intent at the top brought energy to every Indian innings, and losing her at this stage just stings.
With Rawal out, India scrambled for answers at the top. Amanjot Kaur, the seam-bowling all-rounder, was thrust into the opener’s role alongside Smriti Mandhana in the Bangladesh match. There’s chatter about Harleen Deol also stepping up; several other bench players, Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, may get the call, but right now, there’s no perfect substitute for Rawal’s steel and flair. Vice-captain Mandhana will need a steady partner to take on the Aussies, and fans hope whoever steps in can channel Rawal’s tenacity because confidence and intent can be infectious.
Rawal’s injury also exposed why outfield conditions and rain delays can transform entire campaigns, sometimes in one awkward slide. The sight of her limping off, teammates worried, became a somber reminder of how fragile tournament dreams are. The narrative now shifts not just about who replaces Rawal, but how the team responds to heartbreak right before a do-or-die semi-final. If India can rally around her absence, maybe they’ll give fans one more magical moment to cheer about. For now, everyone’s just waiting for the next update, hoping she recovers soon. That kid deserves a grand stage again, hopefully, not too far in the future.
Disclaimer: Details are based on official statements and media reports available at the time of writing. Injury assessments and team selection updates are subject to change as confirmed by the BCCI.
