Star Indian batter ruled out of Women's 20-20 World Cup opener against Pakistan

Indian Women's Cricket Team (Source: Twitter)

India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been ruled out of India’s 20-20 World Cup opener against Pakistan on Sunday, according to a report by NDTV. The high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan will be played at Newlands, Cape Town. The left-handed opener injured her left middle finger while fielding during the warm-up fixture 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 Apex Cricket Body source had told news agency PTI earlier.

“So Harman is fit to play tomorrow. Smriti has got a finger injury. So, she is still recovering and most likely, she won’t play tomorrow. Harman has batted for the last two days — today and yesterday. So, she is fine. We believe Smriti will play the next game, it’s a finger injury, she will be fine for the next game,” India’s stand-in coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday.

The southpaw had batted at number three against Australia instead of her usual opening position with her innings lasting only three balls. Mandhana had further missed India's second warm-up fixture against Bangladesh on Wednesday. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's fitness is also a concern for the ‘Women-in-Blue’. 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 swashbuckling batter did not bat in either of India's warm-up matches. The 'Women in Blue' are placed alongside England, Pakistan, West Indies and Ireland in Group B.

India to finally break the jinx in Women's 20-20 World Cup 2023?

The Indian U19 women’s team made the entire country proud recently by winning the inaugural edition of the U19 women’s 20-20 World Cup in South Africa. The Indian team led by Shafali Verma beat England by seven wickets in the final and got their hands on the coveted trophy.

Indian senior’s women team led by Harmanpreet Kaur will be looking to draw inspiration from the junior team and will look to go one step ahead of their runner-up finish in 2020 20-20 World Cup.