Women’s World Cup 2025: India's Pratika Rawal ruled out with ankle injury

India Women opening batter Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 after suffering an unfortunate ankle injury during the team’s last league game against Bangladesh on Sunday, October 26, at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Rawal slipped and fell awkwardly near the boundary ropes while fielding in the rain-affected encounter. She was in discomfort and had to be helped off the field by the team’s medical staff. The 25-year-old did not return to the field for the remainder of Bangladesh’s innings or to open India’s chase in a match that was eventually abandoned due to rain.

Following the game, Rawal underwent scans and was scheduled to meet an independent doctor for a detailed medical assessment. The tests revealed that the gravity of the blow won't allow her to hit the field for the next few weeks, subsequently ruling her out of the global event. The injury comes as a major setback for India ahead of their semifinal clash against Australia at the same venue on Thursday.

Rawal, who made her international debut in December 2024, has enjoyed a breakthrough year in women’s cricket. She struck her maiden World Cup century in the previous match against New Zealand at the same ground and recently became the joint-fastest player to reach 1000 runs in women’s ODIs. She was also on the verge of becoming only the second player to amass 1000 runs in a calendar year.

Meanwhile, the Women in Blue are also monitoring the fitness of wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who sustained a finger injury during the match against the White Ferns and was subsequently rested for the Bangladesh fixture, which saw Uma Chetry, the backup for Richa, make her debut.

The match in Navi Mumbai against the Nigar Sultana-led side was marred by persistent rain, with two lengthy interruptions, the first around toss time, delaying the start by nearly two hours, and the second after just 12.2 overs of Bangladesh’s innings, lasting another 2.5 hours. The contest was reduced to 27 overs per side.

Although the venue at Navi Mumbai has a strong drainage system, only the main square and wicket ends were covered during both rain breaks. This left large puddles on uncovered sections of the field. Rawal’s injury occurred when she lost footing near deep mid-wicket, her right foot getting stuck in the wet turf as she turned sharply to prevent a boundary.