Asian Games 2023: Injury Scare For India As Shafali Verma Suffers Wrist Injury Ahead Of Semifinal

Shafali Verma starred with the bat on Thursday (September 21) as the Indian women’s team sealed their place in the semifinal of women’s cricket in the ongoing Asian Games 2023 in China. Rain forced the match between India and Malaysia to be abandoned but India qualified for the last four owing to higher seeding.

India are the top-ranked side in the competition. Before rain played spoilsport, India posted a huge total of 173 for 2 in just 15 overs. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana gave the Women in Blue a good start by adding 57 runs for the first wicket in less than six overs before the latter departed for 27 off 16 balls.

Shafali Verma, however, continued to take the Malaysia bowlers to the cleaners. She and Jemimah Rodrigues added 86 runs off just 47 balls for the second wicket to put India on course for the big total.

The partnership ended on the final ball of the 13th over when Shafali Verma was dismissed by Mahirah Izzati Ismail. Before departing, the young opener had smashed 67 runs off just 39 balls with the help of four fours and five sixes.

Richa Ghosh then helped India finish the innings strongly as she played a fine cameo of 21 runs from just 7 balls. In reply, Malaysia could face only a couple of deliveries before rain came and ended the action for the day.

Injury scare for Shafali Verma:

The fine performance and the semifinal qualification turned a bit sour for Team India due to an injury sustained by Shafali Verma. In the 13th over of the Indian innings, she copped a painful blow on her right wrist from a powerful shot from Rodrigues.

She was standing at the non-striker’s end when Rodrigues played the shot down the ground.

The opener batter failed to get out of the ball’s way in time and ended up getting hit on her wrist. She fell on the ground straightaway and needed treatment from the physio. Shafali Verma looked in pain but continued batting although she lasted only three deliveries after the blow.

#HangzhouAsianGames #AsianGames

Ouch. Jemimah Rodrigues with a on-drive that hits Shafali Verma on her right wrist. Treatment needed, but Shafali carrying on for now. pic.twitter.com/9AbTDoYUHD

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) September 21, 2023

India are scheduled to play the semifinal on Sunday (September 24) and will be hoping that Shafali Verma recovers in time for the crucial clash.