India were dealt a body blow ahead of their 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal against Australia at the D.Y.Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, after opening batter Pratika Rawal sustained an ankle injury while fielding during the last league phase fixture against Bangladesh on Sunday. The Delhi batter was helped off the ground by support staff members and is likely to miss the knockout clash against the defending champions.
The 25-year-old’s possible absence could put the spanner in the works as far as picking the playing XI is concerned. The opening batter is the second-highest run-getter for India, with 308 runs in seven matches at an average of 77.78, and played a composed innings of 122 in the crucial match against New Zealand, paving the way for her side to win and enter the semifinal.
Here’s a look at the possible playing XIs that India can consider in Rawal’s absence:
1. Amanjot as opener, bring Gaud in for Rawal
The first possibility India can consider is to continue to open with Amanjot Kaur, as they did in the final league phase fixture against Bangladesh on Sunday. It was the first time the all-rounder had been promoted to top of the order, and she was unbeaten on 15 when rain stopped play and eventually led to the abandonment. India can then consider bringing in Kranti Gaud for Rawal to bolster the fast bowling, as well as play with six bowling options against Australia.
Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana, Amanjot Kaur, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Sneh Rana/Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sree Charani
2. Harleen as opener, use Amanjot at number 7
The second option is promoting Harleen Deol as an opener and using Amanjot in the lower middle-order. The latter option worked in the first match of the World Cup against Sri Lanka at Guwahati when the team found itself on 124/6, and Amanjot, along with Deepti Sharma, rescued the hosts with a stand of 103 runs for the seventh wicket.
The former, however, has never opened the batting in her career so far and has predominantly batted at number three, where she has made 828 runs in 24 matches. It could again allow India to play Jemimah Rodrigues at three, following her exploits against New Zealand, where she made an unbeaten 76 off 55 balls, and have either Sneh Rana or Radha Yadav at number eight, with Kranti Gaud coming in for Uma Chetry in the playing XI.
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Former India captain Mithali Raj had called for the team to consider promoting Deol to open the batting if Rawal was ruled out of Thursday’s clash, before exploring any other option.
“The question now is who opens with Smriti if Pratika isn’t fit to take the field on the 30th. The first option could be promoting number three, Harleen, since she’s often walked in early and is comfortable facing the new ball. Ideally, today (Bangladesh match) was a great opportunity for Harleen to open and build that equation with Smriti, assuming Pratika might not be available,” she told JioHotstar.
Playing XI: Smriti, Harleen, Jemimah, Kaur, Deepti, Ghosh, Amanjot, Sneh/Radha Yadav, Gaud, Renuka, Charani
3. Amanjot as opener, play Uma Chetry as pure batter
A third option that India can contemplate is to strengthen their batting depth by playing Uma Chetry as the pure batter at number seven. The Assam wicketkeeper-batter had a long stint at the nets before the match against Bangladesh and made her 50-over debut on Sunday. It would mean Deol would have to sit out, and the team would go in with two wicketkeeper-batters in the side and continue to play six bowlers.
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Playing XI: Smriti, Amanjot, Jemimah, Kaur, Deepti, Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Sneh/Yadav, Gaud, Renuka, Charani
