India suffer huge blow, star batter ruled out ahead of Women’s World Cup 2025

The India Women's National Cricket Team have suffered a massive blow ahead of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, which will be played in the sub-continent.

The star 25-year-old batsman Jemimah Rodrigues has been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series against the Australia Women's National Cricket Team.

Jemimah Rodrigues is down with viral fever

Rodrigues is one of the most experienced and important members of the India Women's Team, and she is expected to play a significant role in the side's quest for the maiden World Cup title.

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However, ahead of the marquee tournament, Jemimah Rodrigues has faced a setback as she has been ruled out of the last two ODI matches of the series against Australia because of a viral fever.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee has named Tejal Hasabnis as Jemimah Rodrigues' replacement in the squad, as the latter continues to be monitored by the medical team.

Notably, Rodrigues featured in India's playing XI in the first match against Australia, which the hosts lost by eight wickets, with the 25-year-old scoring 18 runs in 26 deliveries.

Overall, Rodrigues has played 51 ODIs matches for the India Women's National Cricket Team and has scored 1457 runs at an average of 32.37, including two tons and seven fifties.

India squad for the last two ODIs against Australia:

Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Uma Chetry (wk), Tejal Hasabnis

Standby players: Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra

There are a few things we want to improve - Harmanpreet Kaur

The second ODI between the home team and the Aussies is currently underway at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh.

For the match, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side made two changes as Arundhati Reddy and Renuka Singh returned to the side.

Speaking after losing the toss and being invited to bat first, Harmanpreet Kaur said that they want to make some big improvements heading into the World Cup and was hopeful of her team executing the plans appropriately. She elaborated:

"We are okay with that, we wanted to bat today. There are a few things we want to improve, about the matchups and when to take on the bowler and all those things, hopefully we want to execute better today.

"We have made 2 changes today. Renuka and Arundhati are back for us. Renuka is always there whenever we needed her, so it is good to have her back in the side."

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Playing XIs for 2nd ODI:

India Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Goud

Australia Women (Playing XI): Alyssa Healy(w/c), Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Darcie Brown, Megan Schutt