India’s hopes hit as Pratika Rawal ruled out of Women’s Cricket World Cup semifinals
NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s hopes of winning a first Women’s Cricket World Cup title have been dented with the injury-enforced withdrawal of opening batter Pratika Rawal for the semifinal against defending champion Australia.
The in-form Rawal was forced off the field after injuring her ankle attempting to save a boundary in India’s last league-stage game on Sunday, which ended in a washout against Bangladesh.
“Tough to sit out due to injury, but my heart is with the team,” Rawal said in a social media post. “Best of luck, India!”
She scored 308 runs in the league stage of the tournament — including a century in a decisive win over New Zealand — second only to teammate Smriti Mandhana’s 365.
The International Cricket Council approved Shafali Verma as a late replacement in the squad for Rawal.
India placed fourth in the league stage, which included a high-scoring loss to Australia.
England and South Africa will meet Wednesday in the first of the semifinals, a day ahead of the Australia-India game.
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