Setback for India before ODI World Cup, Jemimah Rodrigues ruled out of Australia series

In 12 one-day internationals so far in 2025, Jemimah Rodrigues has mustered 479 runs at an average of 47.90 and at a phenomenal strike rate of 107.88.

Indian women’s cricket has been dealt another setback ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, with middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against Australia due to viral fever. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed her unavailability on Tuesday, adding that the medical team is monitoring her recovery. Tejal Hasabnis, who was part of the standby list, has been drafted into the squad as her replacement.

Big blow before World Cup 2025

Rodrigues, who scored 18 in the series opener at Mullanpur, also had an off day in the field, dropping a catch of Phoebe Litchfield that proved costly. India eventually went down by eight wickets to trail 0-1 in the three-match series. Her absence now leaves India’s middle order thinner, especially at a time when Yastika Bhatia is also unavailable due to a knee injury. With the World Cup less than two weeks away, this setback means Rodrigues will miss crucial match practice heading into the tournament. She is part of the quadrennial event as of now.

Hasabnis, 28, has featured in six ODIs for India so far, scoring 140 runs with a highest of 53 not out against Ireland earlier this year. A technically sound right-hander, she was also part of India A’s recent tour of Australia and was listed among the reserves for this series and the World Cup. Having said that, India, who were put to bat first in the second ODI, have had a terrific start. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal hammered 64 runs in the powerplay.

Updated Team India Squad for the last two ODIs:

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Tejal Hasabnis, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (WK), Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Uma Chetry (WK)