Star opener Smriti Mandhana was hit in the head during India’s first warm-up match against South Africa ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.
Indian star Smriti Mandhana hit in the head in World Cup warm-up (courtesy BCCI)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Smriti Mandhana was hit on the head by a Shabnim Ismail bouncer
- The incident happened during India’s warm-up game against South Africa
- Smriti Mandhana was declared fit to continue after the assessment
India opener Smriti Mandhana was stable after being hit in the head by a Shabnim Ismail bouncer during their warm-up match for the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup against South Africa in Rangiora on Sunday. The left-hander was eliminated injured after taking a nasty blow to her helmet early in the game in Rangiora.
According to a report on the ICC website, it was a bounce by South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail that hit them and visibly shook Mandhana. The 25-year-old Mandhana was examined by the team doctor after the incident and initially found fit for action, only to be injured after further consultation more than a year and a half later.
According to the medical staff, she initially felt no symptoms of concussion, but left the ground as a precaution. She did not take the field early in South Africa’s innings. Mandhana, who only played the last two ODIs against New Zealand after a prolonged quarantine, is a vital cog in India’s ODI squad and is expected to play a key role in the World Cup which begins on Friday.
The Mumbaikar, who is ranked 8th in the ICC ODI Players Ranking, has 2461 runs in 64 ODIs with a 41.71 average. She had hit 71 of 84 balls in the most recent ODI to deny the White Ferns a whitewash in the five-match streak.
Meanwhile, India rode Yastika Bhatia’s half-century and Harmanpreet Kaurs hundred to 244/9 in 50 overs after first being sent at-bat by South African captain Sune Luus. India go into the World Cup after beating New Zealand 4-1 in an ODI series.
