Navi Mumbai | India suffered a huge injury scare ahead of the Women's World Cup semifinals as in-form opener Pratika Rawal hobbled off the field during the game against Bangladesh here Sunday.
Rawal, fielding at deep midwicket, twisted her right ankle in the final ball of the 21st over which seemed to have got jammed on the wet field of the DY Patil Stadium here, which remained uncovered throughout this rain-affected contest.
India are set to take on Australia in the semifinals on Thursday.
"Team India all-rounder Pratika Rawal sustained an injury to her knee and ankle while fielding in the first innings against Bangladesh. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring her progress,” the team management said in a statement.
Rawal got close to the ball but due to her feet getting jammed, she fell down on the ground conceding a four as her teammates and India’s support staff ran quickly to assist her.
A stretcher was also rushed to the field by the ground staff but it was not needed as the opening batter hobbled off the field with the help of the Indian support staff.
Rawal, who has forged an extremely successful opening pair with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, is coming off a match-winning 122 against New Zealand which powered India into the semifinals.
Navi Mumbai | Pratika Rawal hobbled off the field after twisting her right ankle in a major injury scare ahead of the Women’s World Cup semifinals, even as India restricted a lowly Bangladesh to 119 for nine in their rain-hit, inconsequential group match here on Sunday.
Rawal, fielding at deep midwicket, collapsed on the ground after her right foot got stuck in the turf in the final ball of the 21st over.
The outfield, including the spot where Rawal fell, here at the DY Patil remained exposed throughout the day as several interruptions of unseasonal rains saw a total of two hours and 15 minutes being lost.
The playing area was covered from one bowling end to another with the centre having multiple layers of covers, but the square boundaries on either side of the wicket were left exposed to rains.
The contest was reduced to 27 overs per-side affair.
While the Indian coaching staff members and ground staff rushed to her assistance and even a stretcher was rushed to the field, Rawal got up and hobbled off the field with some support.
All eyes will remain on Rawal’s progress hereon as India, chasing their maiden World Cup title, will take on formidable Australia in the semifinal here on Thursday.
It did not take long for Renuka Singh to strike as she had Sumaiya Akhter caught by Shree Charani (2/23) at backward point off a wide delivery which the batter had went after.
Radha Yadav got rid of Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana (9) with a brilliant direct hit.
Sharmin (36), coming off a fine 64 not out in her last outing against Sri Lanka, appeared to be waging a lone battle for Bangladesh with the bat as India kept chipping away with regular wickets to remain ahead in the game.
Sharmin’s charge ended after Arundhati Reddy, who came on as a substitute fielder for Rawal, flung herself into the air running in from the deep midwicket area to take an athletic grab off Charani.
Sobhana Mostary (26) tried to take the attack to the opposition but her resistance did not last long, with Harleen Deol taking a fine catch off comeback spinner Radha (3/30).