India, Oct. 27 -- As if it isn't already tough enough to take on an Australian side brimming with daggers in its armoury in a semi-final, India have also been thrown a spanner in the works.

Opener Pratika Rawal was ruled out from the knockouts of the ICC Women's World Cup after the nasty fall in the co-hosts' weather-abandoned match against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai on Sunday evening. Shafali Verma, whose spot Pratika took in India's ODI setup, was approved as replacement by the International Cricket Council's event technical committee.

The jarring and twisting of Pratika's right ankle on a rain-soaked DY Patil Stadium outfield appeared bad on first look, and the worst possibility from an Indian team viewpoint became apparent on Monday,...