In a dramatic turn of events during India’s crucial Women’s T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, captain Harmanpreet Kaur suffered an injury scare, walking off the field clutching her neck in the closing stages of the run-chase. India secured a 6-wicket victory, but Kaur’s injury will be a cause for concern as the tournament progresses.
India bounce back after New Zealand loss
Following a heavy defeat to New Zealand in their opening game, India were determined to bounce back. In the second group-stage match against arch-rivals Pakistan, the Indian bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, restricting Pakistan to a modest total of 105 for 8 in 20 overs.
Arundhati Reddy led the attack with figures of 3/19, while the rest of the bowlers chipped in with crucial wickets to ensure that Pakistan couldn’t build momentum.
Harmanpreet Kaur lead charge before neck injury
India’s run-chase started on shaky ground as Smriti Mandhana was dismissed early. The team struggled to get going in the powerplay, managing only 25 runs for the loss of one wicket. However, captain Harmanpreet Kaur stepped up and played a steady hand, guiding the innings through a difficult phase. She and Shafali Verma built a partnership that helped stabilise India’s pursuit of the target.
But just when it seemed like India would comfortably coast to victory, Kaur’s injury sent shockwaves through the team. In the 19th over, bowled by Pakistan’s Nida Dar, Kaur missed a swipe outside off and appeared to injure her neck as she attempted to quickly get back into the crease. After a brief check by the team physio, Kaur was forced to retire hurt, walking off the field with just two runs needed for victory.
India’s NRR in question
Despite Harmanpreet Kaur’s absence, Sajana Sajeevan walked out to finish the game, striking a boundary off the only ball she faced to seal the win for India with seven balls to spare. The victory gave India their first points of the tournament, but there are lingering questions about the team’s missed opportunity to boost their net run rate (NRR).
Although the target was low, India’s cautious approach, combined with the loss of wickets, meant they were unable to significantly improve their NRR, which could prove crucial in later stages of the tournament.
Smriti Mandhana provides Harmanpreet Kaur injury update
With Harmanpreet Kaur missing the post-match presentation, Smriti Mandhana stood in for her and addressed concerns about the captain’s injury. “Too soon to say anything, the medics are looking at it. Hopefully, she is alright,” Mandhana said. She praised the team’s bowling performance but acknowledged the need for a better start with the bat. “We could have done with a better start, but we will take this win.”
Mandhana also touched on the importance of improving their net run rate, stating, “NRR is surely in our heads. This game will give us some momentum, and hopefully, we can keep going in this tournament.”
What’s ahead of India Women’s Cricket Team?
India’s victory against Pakistan was a significant step forward after their earlier defeat, but the injury to their captain adds uncertainty to their campaign. With the tournament in its early stages, the team will be hoping for a quick recovery for Kaur, whose leadership and experience will be crucial as they face stronger teams ahead.
For now, India can take pride in their disciplined bowling performance and the ability to secure their first win. However, they will need to sharpen their batting and ensure that they seize opportunities to improve their NRR as the tournament progresses.
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