By Admin 
In-form opening batsman Pratika Rawal was ruled out of the remaining matches of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on Monday due to knee and ankle injuries, dealing a huge blow to the Indian team. Shefali Verma was included in the team in place of Pratika. Shefali last played ODI match a year ago.
Pratika sprained her right ankle during India’s final league match against Bangladesh at the DY Patil Stadium.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement, “After Pratika Raval suffered an injury to her right ankle while fielding in the league match against Bangladesh, Shafali Verma has been included in the squad in her place. ,
On the last ball of the 21st over, when Pratika ran from deep midwicket to stop the ball, her right foot got stuck in the wet ground and she fell down groaning in pain.
The Indian player ran to Pratika and a stretcher was also brought to the field but the 25-year-old player went out of the field with the help of the support staff.
Pratika has been in excellent form throughout the tournament and has scored 308 runs in six innings at an average of 51.33. He scored his first World Cup century against New Zealand. During this period, she also became the joint fastest player to score 1000 runs in women’s ODI.
Pratika made good partnerships with Smriti Mandhana at the top of the order.
India will face defending champion Australia in the semi-finals on Thursday while the final will be held on Sunday.
Aggressive batsman Shefali Verma can be directly included in the playing eleven. The 21-year-old opening batsman’s ODI record is normal, he has scored 644 runs in 29 matches at an average of 23. Due to lack of consistency in performance, Shefali could not make her place in the ODI team. However, he has retained his place in the shorter format.
There is also doubt over the fitness of Richa Ghosh. This wicketkeeper batsman had injured her finger against New Zealand and after that she was out of the match against Bangladesh.
Sudhir