Injured Pratika Rawal ruled out of the World Cup

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 game was called off, the 25-year-old underwent scans and at the time of reporting was scheduled to meet with an independent doctor for her official reports.

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.

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