As India and Australia gear up for their semifinal showdown at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on Thursday at the Dr D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, both sides are grappling with uncertainty at the top of the order.
India’s Opening Puzzle After Rawal’s Injury
Hosts India were dealt a blow when opener Pratika Rawal injured her knee and ankle after slipping on the wet outfield during the abandoned match against Bangladesh on Sunday.
The ICC has approved Shafali Verma as Rawal’s replacement, but her inclusion in the playing XI is far from certain. Once a prolific partner to Smriti Mandhana, Shafali lost her place in the squad after a lean run with the bat. Rawal’s composed approach had since complemented Mandhana’s aggression, with the duo stitching together four 150-plus stands, including a record 212-run partnership against New Zealand.
Replacing her in a high-pressure semifinal is no easy task. Shafali’s attacking flair could be an asset, but her recent form remains a concern.
“Promote Harleen,” Suggests Mithali Raj
Former India captain Mithali Raj believes the team should consider promoting No.3 batter Harleen Deol to open alongside Mandhana.
The first option could be promoting number three, Harleen, since she’s often walked in early and is comfortable facing the new ball. Ideally, this was a great opportunity for Harleen to open and build that equation with Smriti, assuming Pratika might not be available. Sending Amanjot to open was something I didn’t quite understand. Yes, she needed time out in the middle, but perhaps she could’ve slotted in at number three instead of opening.
India might also consider Amanjot Kaur, who scored a steady 57-run stand with Mandhana against Bangladesh before rain intervened. But starting her as a makeshift opener against Australia in a knockout game could be a risky gamble.
Australia Hopeful Of Healy’s Return
Australia, too, are sweating on their opener — and captain — Alyssa Healy, who is recovering from a calf strain. She missed their last two league games against England and South Africa.
She wasn't quite up to it (here), but she'll continue to be assessed. We're really hopeful for the semi, but still a few days to play out before that.
Healy’s return could be pivotal — both for her explosive batting and her leadership. Australia had edged India by three wickets in the league stage, with Healy’s brilliant 142 anchoring their chase of 331.
All Eyes On The Toss — And The Top Order
With both teams facing critical selection calls, the semifinal promises to be a battle of not just skill but strategy. Will Shafali Verma reclaim her place alongside Mandhana? Will Alyssa Healy recover in time to lead the defending champions?
The answers could well define who books a spot in the World Cup final.
