​India opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the upcoming one-off Test against England at Lord’s, which starts this Friday, after sustaining a knee injury. Head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed that Rawal acquired the injury while playing for India A against England A in Taunton earlier this month. During India A’s second 50-over match, she sustained a cut on her knee that required stitches, leading to her withdrawal from the Test. Priya Punia has been drafted into the squad as Rawal’s replacement.
“Pratika has been ruled out of the Test match due to the injury she picked up in the India A game. She sustained a cut on her knee that needed stitches. She is out for the Test match, and Priya Punia has been added to the squad,” Muzumdar stated.
This marks another unfortunate setback for Rawal, who previously faced a major injury last year when she had to withdraw from the home Women’s ODI World Cup after twisting her ankle. Rawal had made her Test debut against Australia earlier this year, signaling a rising star in India’s women’s cricket lineup.
The forthcoming match at Lord’s also holds historic significance as it will be the first women’s Test hosted at the iconic venue in 142 years, since it first staged a men’s Test. India enters this fixture on the back of a group-stage exit from the recently concluded Women’s T20 World Cup, an outcome Muzumdar acknowledged as disappointing but emphasized was not the end of the road for the team.
Reflecting on the campaign, Muzumdar described it as a mixed bag. “We had to bounce back from that loss. We were disappointed with the World Cup, and we didn’t perform to our potential. But the character of the team needed to come out, and we had to move forward into the Test match preparation with urgency,” he explained.
The team has shown resilience in its approach to red-ball cricket after the T20 setback. They have focused on building momentum and sharpening skills ahead of the Lord’s Test. Five consecutive days of training at Wormsley Cricket Club provided ideal conditions for practicing in a serene setting, allowing the squad to refine strategies and boost cohesion ahead of the historic clash at Lord’s.
The Warren-aided preparation has also offered a fresh perspective on India’s approach to the longer format, with emphasis on patience, concentration, and disciplined execution. The squad has reportedly benefited from the varied practice venues and the tranquil atmosphere at Wormsley, followed by the iconic atmosphere of Lord’s. Players are keen to translate the insights gained in the nets into a composed, competitive performance on the field.
As the match at Lord’s looms, India eyes a strong showing in blue to honor the tradition of the tour and to create a memorable moment for the women’s team in England. The fixture promises to deliver high-quality cricket, with Rawal’s absence a notable setback, but Punia stepping in offers a timely opportunity for another talented batter to showcase her skills on a world stage.
For fans and followers, the Lord’s Test represents a milestone moment, both for women’s cricket and for Indian cricket’s ongoing evolution in the longer format. The test could provide a gauge of India’s readiness for longer-format challenges ahead, while also illustrating the depth and depth of talent within the squad as they push for continued success in all formats. As the teams prepare to take the field, the focus remains on delivering a competitive and entertaining performance that underscores the resilience and ambition of India’s women’s cricket program.