In what was a largely inconsequential ICC Women’s World Cup match, India were dealt a potentially serious blow that might have consequences for their upcoming semifinal against Australia. On Sunday in Navi Mumbai, during India’s bowling innings, in-form opener Pratika Rawal hobbled off the field after seemingly suffering a serious ankle twist.
Fielding at deep midwicket, Pratika ran towards her left off the last ball of the 21st over. The match had been reduced to 27 overs already after bursts of intense rain earlier in the day. Sharmin Akhter’s slog towards the leg side saw Pratika over-run the ball a little to her right and then as the fielder hit the brakes, her right ankle twisted underneath her weight. The ball went for four but immediately, Pratika was in serious pain and didn’t get up from her prone position for a while. The medical staff rushed on to the field as did some of her teammates. Eventually, though, Pratika was assisted off the pitch with her arms around a couple of her teammates.
When India came out to bat, it was Amanjot Kaur who opened with Smriti Mandhana. The BCCI later said in an update: “India all-rounder Pratika Rawal sustained an injury to her knee and ankle while fielding in the 1st innings against Bangladesh. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring her progress.” India take on Australia in Navi Mumbai on Thursday in the second semifinal.
Pratika, who scored a superb century against New Zealand at this venue to take India to the semifinals, is the second leading run-scorer in the tournament behind Smriti Mandhana. A stretcher was also rushed to the field by the ground staff but it was not needed as the batter hobbled off the field with the help of the Indian support staff.
The Delhi batter has forged an extremely successful opening pair with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and the duo have added two 150+ stands at this World Cup already, one against Australia and more recently in the must-win match against New Zealand.
When India named their updated squad after Yastika Bhatia’s injury, they had confirmed that the standy players in reserves are Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, and Sayali Satghare. Shafali Verma, whose lack of consistency in this format led to Pratika making her debut late last year, has been in sensational form in the domestic T20 tournament but is not part of the reserves.
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