On Harmanpreet Kaur's Neck Injury, Smriti Mandhana Issues Update

07.10.2024 - 03:41 sports.ndtv.com

During India's six-wicket win over Pakistan in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, captain Harmanpreet Kaur retired hurt on 29 after losing her balance and injuring her neck just before the game ended leaving many worried.

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who stood in for Harmanpreet in the post-match presentation ceremony, said the medical team is looking into the Indian skipper's neck injury. “Too soon to say anything, the medics are looking at it.

Hopefully she is alright,” said Smriti. After restricting Pakistan to 105/8, thanks to Arundhati Reddy's career-best spell of 3-19, India were expected to complete the chase in a jiffy, with an eye to boost their net run rate, which took a severe hit due to the 58-run defeat to New Zealand.

But with Pakistan being disciplined with their bowling, India could amass only 25/1 in power-play and never showed urgency to take risks for finishing the chase quickly.

cricket India Women Pakistan Women Harmanpreet Kaur Smriti Mandhana New Zealand India Pakistan

Stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana hailed India's bowling and fielding efforts as they bounced back from a "tough" phase to secure a win against New Zealand in the first ODI of the three-match series. India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign earlier this month had ended in a disaster as they failed to reach the semifinals following a 58-run defeat to Sophie Devine's New Zealand, who went on to win the tournament.

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Before the Indian team's departure to the UAE for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur claimed that the 15-member side was the best group ever playing the showpiece event in the shortest format. But all of it came crashing down when India lost to 58 runs by New Zealand in their tournament opener at Dubai and from there, they were just playing catch up till the writing on the wall came clear: of them suffering a group-stage exit in the T20 World Cups for the first time since 2016.

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India failed to qualify for the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has been facing a lot of criticism for the team's disappointing performance. India lost their matches against New Zealand and Australia to crash out of the competition and questions remain over whether Harmanpreet will retain her captaincy following the dismal run. According to a report by Indian Express, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to take a call on whether the team needs a new captain. The report claimed that the BCCI will meet head coach Amol Muzumdar and the selection committee to discuss the future plan and whether Harmanpreet will continue as the captain of the side or not.

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