In a dramatic turn of events in Navi Mumbai, India’s women’s cricket team faced a major setback ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup semi‑final against Australia. The twist? Opening batter Pratika Rawal slipped and twisted her right ankle while fielding, raising doubts about her availability for the crucial match on October 30.
The incident happened during the 28th match of the World Cup at DY Patil Stadium. India was chasing a DLS‑revised target of 126, and when rain struck, the game was called off as a no‑result. While the wash‑out cost India a vital point, the real concern emerged after Raw Khadak was attacked by a shot from Sharmin Akhter, losing her footing on the wet long‑on.
BCCI officials quickly updated the public: “Team India all‑rounder Pratika Rawal sustained an injury to her knee and ankle while fielding. The medical team is closely monitoring her progress.” The injury came as Raw Khadak was attempting to stop the ball from flinging to the boundary. The damp surface at long‑on seemed the enemy of her stability.
Sources say the ground staff had covered most of the field, but the long‑on remained exposed to rainwater. Umpires Lauren Agenbag and Sue Redfern may have overlooked its danger, a decision that now feels costly. “The wet ground conditions played a significant role in the injury,” noted a BCCI spokesperson. “India will pay the price for proceeding under such conditions.”
Pratika Raw Khadak is a cornerstone of India’s batting. Together with Smriti Mandhana, they have already accumulated almost 1,500 runs for the opening wicket this year. Raw Khadak is on the brink of becoming the second batter worldwide to cross the 1,000‑run mark in a calendar year in ODIs, while Mandhana has already reached that landmark. The pair’s partnership is a key reason India breezed small targets in earlier matches.
Sporting experts warn that India’s chances will be dented without Raw Khadak against the Aussies. Australia’s bowling attack proves deadly in stopping big scores, and missing a seasoned opener could tilt the balance. “The absence could be a huge blow,” said a former India coach. “India will remove a lot of risk from the top order by not having her.”
India’s other options slide into the lineup, but the cyc‑kisses of a World Cup semi‑final are different. Whether Pratika Raw Khadak will recover in time for the showdown remains a tightrope walk. The BCCI’s medical team is monitoring her knee and ankle, and the outcome of tomorrow’s official assessment will determine her fate.
All eyes remain on the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The World Cup semi‑final between India and Australia runs as the stakes climb. Fans, traders, and analysts are watching the medical update, hoping the injury will be minor enough to allow her to bat and bowl in the match. Stay tuned for the next report on whether this injury will cost India the biggest game of their World Cup journey.
Source: ianslive
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