Verma replaces Rawal in India squad for semi-final

In their Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia, India has substituted injured Pratika Rawal for injured batter Shafali Verma.

During India’s final group game against Bangladesh on Sunday, Rawal injured his ankle while playing.

The 25-year-old opener failed to bat in the match at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai despite trying to stop a boundary on the slick outfield.

With 308 runs in six innings at 51.33, Rawal is the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, trailing only Smriti Mandhana, a fellow Indian opening batter.

The International Cricket Council’s event technical committee approved India’s request to replace Rawal with Verma for the tournament.

Verma has played 50-over cricket for India A in recent months but hasn’t played one-day internationals for India since October 2024.

The 21-year-old will now be eligible for a place in the semi-final showdown against Australia despite being excluded from India’s original World Cup squad.