Smriti Mandhana likely to miss T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan

Smriti Mandhana
Indian opener Smriti Mandhana. File photo: IANS

Cape Town: Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is likely to miss the Women's T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan on Sunday as she is yet to recover from a finger injury she suffered during a warm-up game.

The 26-year-old opener injured her left middle finger while fielding during the warm-up match against Australia on Monday.

"She suffered an injury in the practice game. We can't say she is out of World Cup yet. But she could miss the Pakistan game," an ICC source told PTI.

The southpaw had batted at No. 3 against Australia instead of her usual opening position. Her innings lasted just three balls.

Mandhana had subsequently missed India's second warm-up game against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's fitness is also a concern. She had injured her shoulder during the final of the Tri-Series against South Africa last week.

"Body is fine. It will get better with rest," Kaur had said after the final.

However, the big-hitting middle-order batter did not bat in either of India's warm-up matches.

The Women in Blue are clubbed alongside England, Pakistan, West Indies and Ireland in Group B.

The top two will make it to the semifinals. 

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.