India’s campaign at the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup has reached its most precarious juncture yet.
The team, who clinched the final semi-final spot after a spirited win over New Zealand, now face a crisis that threatens to derail their title ambitions. A rain-hit final group-stage match against Bangladesh not only disrupted momentum but also resulted in a devastating blow the loss of in-form opener Pratika Rawal to injury.
With the semi-final against defending champions Australia looming on October 30 at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, India’s management faces a selection and structural headache that could define their tournament. Pratika Rawal, India’s second-highest run-getter of the World Cup with 308 runs at an average of 51.33, sustained a severe ankle and knee injury while fielding on the wet outfield during the Bangladesh match a fixture rendered meaningless after India had already qualified. The incident occurred in the 21st over when Rawal slipped attempting a save at deep midwicket, twisting her ankle on the slippery turf.
Although she was able to walk off the field with support, scans later confirmed the worst: Rawal was ruled out of the semi-final and possibly the rest of the tournament. The decision to field a key player in a dead rubber under visibly unsafe conditions has since come under scrutiny. Former players have questioned why the team’s most consistent opener was exposed to unnecessary risk in conditions that ultimately resulted in an abandoned match.
This injury leaves India without one half of its most successful opening combination in recent memory. The Rawal–Mandhana partnership, which amassed 150 runs against Australia in the league stage the highest opening stand of the tournament had been the foundation of India’s batting success.
The Rawal Void: Tactical and Psychological Impact
Rawal’s absence is more than a statistical loss; it dismantles the balance and rhythm that defined India’s batting approach. Her quick starts and aggressive shot-making relieved early pressure on Smriti Mandhana, allowing the vice-captain to settle and build long innings. With Rawal gone, Mandhana’s role now transforms from aggressor to anchor a switch that places enormous psychological and tactical burden on her shoulders.
India’s dependence on their openers has been historically evident. In World Cup matches where the top order fails, India’s win percentage drops below 30%. Against Australia’s new-ball pairing of Megan Schutt and Annabel Sutherland, who thrive on early wickets, the pressure on Mandhana to navigate the powerplay without Rawal’s support will be immense. Moreover, Rawal was the only Indian batter who had scored freely against Australia earlier in the tournament a composed 75 that blunted their pace attack.
Her absence effectively removes India’s tested shield against Australia’s early onslaught, handing the world champions a clear strategic edge.
Selection Dilemma: Who Opens with Mandhana?
The immediate question for head coach Amol Muzumdar and captain Harmanpreet Kaur is identifying Rawal’s replacement. None of the remaining batters are specialist openers, forcing India into an uncomfortable choice between structural disruption or unproven talent.
Option 1: Harleen Deol
The most pragmatic choice is Harleen Deol, usually India’s No. 3. She has the technique to handle the new ball and has often come in early enough to simulate opening conditions. Promoting her keeps the opening slot within the current core group. However, it creates a downstream gap at No. 3 a pivotal role for stabilizing innings potentially unsettling India’s middle order.
Option 2: Amanjot Kaur
Amanjot was promoted to open in the Bangladesh match, scoring 15* before rain intervened. While the experiment offered temporary flexibility, using an all-rounder as a full-time opener against Australia’s pace-heavy attack risks weakening the top order’s specialist depth. As former captain Mithali Raj noted, “It’s a gamble India can ill afford in a semi-final.”
Option 3: Uma Chetry
If Richa Ghosh’s finger injury persists, reserve keeper Uma Chetry could take over behind the stumps and double as an opener. However, opening in a World Cup semi-final with limited ODI experience presents an enormous leap in responsibility. Her selection depends entirely on Ghosh’s medical clearance.
Option 4: Tejal Hasabnis (Standby)
Hasabnis, a domestic specialist opener averaging 46.66 in ODIs, offers technical pedigree but lacks exposure at this level. Drafting her from Maharashtra’s domestic circuit at such short notice with no acclimatization or team integration would be a logistical and psychological gamble.
Among the four, Deol’s promotion remains the most balanced option, offering experience and familiarity without introducing external instability.
India’s second major concern is the fitness of Richa Ghosh, the wicketkeeper-batter whose left-hand finger injury sidelined her against Bangladesh. While the medical staff have termed her “fit and available,” her full confidence in catching and stroke play remains under observation. Ghosh’s aggressive batting is a crucial component of India’s lower-order acceleration. If she’s restricted, India could be forced to play Chetry as keeper and push another player up the order a reshuffle that risks compromising both batting depth and bowling balance.
India’s best structure against a high-powered Australian lineup demands six bowling options, meaning the inclusion of an extra batter must not come at the expense of bowling depth.
This complicates the playing XI composition further if both Rawal and Ghosh are unavailable or partially fit. Facing Australia in a knockout remains India’s toughest task. The defending champions have dominated their head-to-head record, winning 11 of the 14 ODI World Cup encounters. India’s solitary semi-final triumph came in 2017, a reminder of both potential and peril.
In their league-stage clash earlier this month, India posted 330 their highest total of the tournament thanks largely to Rawal and Mandhana’s record stand. Without Rawal, India’s ability to replicate that momentum looks uncertain. The onus will fall on the middle order Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues to absorb early pressure and rebuild with intent. Australia, meanwhile, will enter with clarity and confidence. Expect Schutt and Sutherland to attack full and fast early, supported by Alana King’s middle-over spin choke. Their familiarity with knockout cricket gives them a psychological edge, especially against an India side now in tactical flux.
India’s path forward depends on damage control and adaptability. Promoting Harleen Deol as opener appears the most stable solution, allowing India to maintain its six-bowler structure and avoid debuting a new player under high stress. Jemimah Rodrigues could slide to No. 3, followed by Harmanpreet, Deepti, and Ghosh/Chetry to provide flexibility and stability.
The middle order must prepare for an early collapse scenario perhaps entering as early as 2/20 and focus on accumulation before launching in the final overs. In the absence of Rawal’s fluency, India’s batting must prioritize partnerships and tempo management over pure aggression.
The washout at Navi Mumbai cost India more than momentum it cost them balance. Pratika Rawal’s injury, born out of an avoidable risk, has forced a tactical overhaul days before facing the most dominant side in women’s cricket. India will now enter the semi-final as underdogs, their chances hinging on Smriti Mandhana’s form, Harleen Deol’s adaptability, and the middle order’s composure. The road ahead is steep, but this team has a history of thriving under adversity most notably their upset of Australia in 2017.
If India can channel that spirit again, this semi-final could transform from a crisis into a statement of resilience proof that even without their star opener, they can rise to challenge the world champions head-on.
