Smriti Mandhana Hit On Head During Warm-Up Game Against South Africa

Indian opener Smriti Mandhana was clonked on the head in their first warm-up match against South Africa women on Sunday at the Mainpower Oval in Rangiora.

The left-handed batter was hit on the head by South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail’s bouncer in the early overs of the game as India were asked to bat first after losing the toss. Mandhana was examined by the team medical staff following the incident and was allowed to bat further.

Smriti Mandhan retired for precautionary reasons

But the opening batter retired just after an over and a half after being consulted for the second time. According to the team medical staff, the player had no concussion symptoms but she pulled out due to precautionary reasons. Mandhana scored 12 off 23 balls before retiring her innings.

Harmanpreet Kaur scores 103 in warm-up match

India’s vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur slammed 103 off 114 with nine boundaries at a strike rate of 90.35 and wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia, who opened the innings alongside Mandhana, made 78-ball 58 as India posted 244 for nine in the first innings.

South Africa medium-pacer Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the Proteas bowlers, she scalped three wickets for 23 runs from seven overs. Khaka got the wickets of Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet and Poonam Yadav.

Earlier this month, Mandhana was isolated in New Zealand government’s Mandatory Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facility along with teammates Meghna Singh and Renuka Singh. Mandhana missed the only T20I match and the first three ODIs against the White Ferns but returned for the last couple of games for India. She made 71 off 84 as India won the final ODI by six wickets to avoid the whitewash in the five-match ODI series.

India women will play the second warm-up match against West Indies women on March 1 before they take on arch-rivals Pakistan on March 6 in their first game of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2022: Mithali Raj Confirms Harmanpreet Kaur Will Be India’s Vice-Captain