
As India’s cricketing fortunes hang in the balance, star opener Pratika Rawal faces an uncertain path ahead of the Women’s World Cup 2025. After a frightening injury during their recent group match against Bangladesh, her presence on the team roster is now highly questionable. As fans await medical updates, we take a look at three players who could step in if she is ruled out of the tournament.
Pratika Rawal sustained a serious knee and ankle injury while attempting to save a boundary during the game. The BCCI medical team is currently assessing her situation. If she cannot recover in time for the upcoming semi-final against Australia, it will be a significant loss for Team India.
Tejal, aged 28, is among the six standby players for India’s squad. With her ODI debut against New Zealand in 2024, she has already made a notable impact with 140 runs at an average of 46.66.
The 21-year-old Raghvi emerged as a promising talent during the Australia A tour, with standout performances that included scores of 93 and 86 in a single test. Though yet to debut in ODIs, her record suggests she may be ready for the challenge.
Even though Shafali Verma was initially excluded from the WC 2025 squad, her recent form in warm-up matches, where she scored 70 off just 49 deliveries, cannot be ignored.
| Player | Role | Matches | Runs | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tejal Hasabnis | Batter | 6 | 140 | 46.66 |
| Raghvi Bist | Batter | 2 | 36 | 18.00 |
| Shafali Verma | Opener | 29 | 1,376 | 45.67 |
With Pratika’s injury news pending, the team management needs to weigh its options carefully. Each of these players brings unique strengths, and selecting the right one could be crucial for India’s success against a formidable Australian side.






