Women's World Cup 2025: Arundhati Reddy suffers injury scare after being hit on knee during warm-up match

India’s preparations for the Women’s World Cup 2025 suffered a major setback on Thursday after pacer-allrounder Arundhati Reddy was hit on the knee and wheeled off the field during the team’s first official warm-up match against England at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. With the tournament opener just five days away, the injury has raised questions about her availability for the marquee event.

The incident took place in the 13th over of England’s innings when Reddy, having already dismissed Amy Jones earlier in her spell, delivered a dot ball to Heather Knight. The England skipper hit the ball straight back down the pitch, where it struck into Reddy’s left knee before she could react. The 27-year-old immediately fell to the ground and was in pain. Teammates rushed to her help, and after an on-field assessment by the physio, she was escorted to the boundary ropes before being taken for further examination in a wheelchair. Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues completed the remaining two deliveries of the over.

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The extent of the injury is still not out, but Reddy did appear briefly during a rain break, walking slowly and heavily limping. However, she did not return to bowl, and her participation in the warm-up was ruled out. With India scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on September 30, the management will be awaiting its medical updates.

Notably, this is Reddy’s first ODI World Cup. After two strong seasons with Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League, she earned her ODI debut in 2024 and has since bagged 15 wickets in 11 matches, including a career-best 4 for 26 against Australia in December last year. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her an important part of India’s middle-order and pace unit.

Reddy is one of only four seam options in India’s 15-member squad, alongside Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Goud, and all-rounder Amanjot Kaur. While Renuka recently made her comeback after a lengthy injury layoff, Amanjot has not featured in competitive cricket since the England tour earlier this year. Sayali Satghare, part of the standby list, has shown moments of brilliance in recent outings.

India has already suffered injuries in the build-up to the World Cup. Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia tore her ACL during the skills camp in Vizag and has been ruled out, with Uma Chetry named as her replacement.