I Played The Entire World Cup With An Injury, Says Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur was one of the best performers for India in the recently-concluded World Cup in England where the Women in Blue finished runners-up. After a slow start to the tournament which saw her scoring only 77 runs in the first six games, Harmanpreet found her form when the team needed her services the most. She scored 60 in the must-win game against New Zealand as India thrashed the Kiwis by 186 runs to make it to the semifinal.

In the semifinal, she played one of the best innings of all time in a World Cup as she blew away Australia with a stunning 115-ball 171 runs knock that was studded with 20 fours and 7 huge sixes. She was also looking in good form in the final against England and had raced way to 51 with the help of 3 fours and 2 sixes before getting out against the run of play. Her dismissal changed the course of the game as India lost their remaining 7 wickets for just 28 runs to lose the clash by 9 runs.

And while everybody is busy praising her for the sensational performances, they will be shocked to know that the 28-year old played nearly the entire tournament with a finger injury.

“I played nearly the entire tournament with a finger injury, which I suffered during our second league match against the Windies. I sustained the injury while fielding. The physio advised me rest, but I went back and managed to take two wickets. Thankfully, I didn’t have to bat in that game,” she told The Times of India.

“The doctors put a clamp on the ring finger of her left hand in order to keep it straight as the finger had become curved,” Harmanpreet’s father, Harmandar Bhullar said.

The Punjab-born batswoman further revealed that she feared her tournament would come to a premature end due to the injury but managed to play all the matches and thanked the team physio for the help.

“I wore the batting gloves on it. It was painful, but I was determined to go beyond the pain barrier and perform for my country,” Harmanpreet said. ” At one point, it looked I might have to return home from the World Cup. I would like to give credit to our physio Tracy Fernandes for helping me play the full tournament.”

She had also sustained a shoulder injury during a practise session before the final but once again braved it to the play the all-important game.

Injury worry for India. Harmanpreet Kaur hurt her right shoulder batting in the nets. Said she was fine but looked v uncomfortable. #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/irxAQXJRZz

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) July 22, 2017

“For a right-handed batter, power comes through one’s right hand, while the left hand gives the ball direction. The finger injury meant it was difficult for her to grip the bat with strength.The tear in her (Harmanpreet’s) left shoulder after the semifinal meant she was literally batting with one hand.”

Meanwhile, a MRI scan has revealed a tear in her right shoulder and has ruled her out of the upcoming Women’s Super League. She was signed by Surrey Stars in May this year.