India Hit With Big Blow Ahead Of World Cup Semi-Final Against Australia, Star Opener Suffers Nasty Injury

The dead-rubber against Bangladesh has proven rather costly for India as Pratika Rawal suffered a nasty injury just days before their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 against Australia at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday (October 26). Rawal was fielding in the outfield, which had seen some major rain over the course of the day. While trying to collect a delivery, Rawal's foot appeared to get stuck on the floor, and she suffered a nasty fall. The star opener was evidently in pain, with her teammates left worried. Rawal struggled to walk and had to take the help of teammates and support staff members to go back to the dressing room. With just four days left for the marquee clash against the defending champions, Rawal's participation is a major doubt, with the injury looking like a serious one on first look. Rawal has been key to India's fortunes in the tournament with 308 runs in six innings, with one century and half-century respectively to her name. She is the second-highest run-getter in the tournament, only behind Smriti Mandhana. Also Read: Navi Mumbai Weather Report: Will India-Australia ICC Women's World Cup 2025 SF Be Hit With Rain? Rawal made her ODI debut last year and has made a strong impression. She became the joint-fastest women's cricketer to score 1000 runs in the 50-over format during her knock of 122 against New Zealand on Thursday (October 23). The 25-year-old has made 976 runs in ODIs in 2025, which is the second-most in history during a calendar year, only behind Mandhana's tally from this year. During this tournament, the Indian vice-captain had broken Belindra Clarke's 27-year-old world record while Rawal also went past the Australian legend's run tally in 1997 of 970 runs. Talking about the match, India won the toss and chose to bowl after a rain delay. The game saw another stoppage and was reduced to a 27-over game. Bangladesh made 119 runs.