Pratika Rawal ruled out of Women’s World Cup as India dealt body blow ahead of semis, Shafali Verma named replacement

The injury comes as a body blow for India ahead of the crucial semi-final against defending champions Australia on Thursday, October 30, in Navi Mumbai. The right-hander is the second-highest run-scorer in the ongoing eight-team tournament with 308 runs to her name in seven matches, averaging 51.33 at a strike-rate of 77.77.

She had previously scored 75 against Australia in Visakhapatnam and then hit a match-winning 122 against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai.

Rawal has formed a formidable partnership with Smriti Mandhana up top, and the duo had also put on 212 runs for the first wicket in India's crucial must-win encounter against New Zealand last week.