Women’s ODI World Cup | Shafali Verma to replace injured Pratika Rawal in semifinal against Australia

‌India received a big blow ahead of their Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal against Australia as Pratika Rawal was ruled out of the tournament. The Indian opener twisted her ankle while fielding in the hosts’ final group game against Bangladesh at Dr DY Patil Sports Complex in Navi Mumbai. Shafali Verma, who was not picked in the squad initially, will now replace the injured opener for the high-stakes knockout clash against the defending champions on Thursday at the same venue.

Pratika has been in scintillating form this tournament, amassing 308 runs from six innings at an average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 77.77. She had a hundred and a fifty in this edition and is currently second in the overall run-getters list behind her opening partner Smriti Mandhana. In six group games, she was involved in two century-plus stands for the opening wicket with Mandhana, including their marathon 212-run partnership against New Zealand.

With persistent rain delaying proceedings in Navi Mumbai, the India-Bangladesh match was finally reduced to 27-over-a-side. Pratika overran herself while chasing a ball in the 21st over, before slipping while trying to decelerate. She twisted her ankle before her entire body weight fell on it, before going to the ground.

She was attended to by the physios but could not play any further part in the game as she hobbled out with the help of the support staff. In her absence, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur played the role of a makeshift opener in the abandoned game. 

Meanwhile, Shafali last played an ODI for India in the three-match home series against New Zealand in October 2024, where she managed a meagre return of 56 runs at an average of 18.66. However, she smashed a 41-ball 75 against England in the fifth and final T20I in Birmingham in her last international outing for the Women in Blue. 

Moreover, the opener has been in good nick for India A, scoring two fifties in her last two ODI innings against New Zealand and Australia A in September and August, respectively.