Rawal sustains hairline fracture to ankle, ruled out of World Cup

India opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup 2025 after sustaining a hairline fracture in her right ankle while fielding in their final league game against Bangladesh on Sunday (October 26). In encouraging signs, though, Cricbuzz understands that a surgery for the same has been deemed unnecessary at the moment.

Rawal slipped and fell awkwardly in the field while fielding near the boundary ropes in the rain-affected match at the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai. Wincing in pain, she was helped off the field by the team's support staff and did not return for the remainder of India's bowling innings or to open the chase in the game that was eventually abandoned

After the match was called off, the 25-year-old underwent scans and was due to meet the an independent doctor for consultation the following day (Monday) before - if needed - the process of a replacement could be initiated. Given the swelling, Rawal has been advised three weeks of rest and is currently sporting a moonboot.

After three weeks, fresh scans and consultation will decide the future course of action. The opener will then report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for her rehab. As of now, expectedly, no window for return to play has been set.

It is a significant blow to India ahead of their semifinal clash against Australia at the same venue on Thursday (October 30). Rawal, who debuted for India in December 2024, has had a stellar first year in international cricket. She hit her maiden World Cup century in the previous game against New Zealand, at the same venue. In the process, she also became the joint-fastest to 1000 runs in women's ODIs and was on the verge of becoming only the second player to aggregate 1000 runs in a calendar year.

India are also sweating on the fitness of keeper-bat Richa Ghosh, who sustained a blow to her finger in the New Zealand game and was subsequently rested for the Bangladesh game, leading to a debut for backup 'keeper Uma Chetry.

The inconsequential last game in Navi Mumbai was severely hampered by rain with the first spell, around toss time, causing a two-hour delay in start to the 43-overs-a-side game. The second rain interruption happened merely 12.2 overs into Bangladesh's innings, for 2.5 hours and reducing the innings to 27 overs per side.

While the ground boasts of a good drainage system, only the main square and the extended areas at the either ends of the wicket had been covered at both rain breaks, leading to significant puddles on unprotected parts of both offside and inside field. Rawal fell while running towards deep mid-wicket when her right foot felt stuck in the turf as she tried to turn back after overrunning to save an eventual boundary.

India have meanwhile called for Shafali Verma as replacement ahead of the semifinal - a decision approved by the ICC Event Technical Committee.

This story was updated on October 27 at 22:40 IST