ICC Women's World Cup 2022: Smriti Mandhana Cleared To Play The Tournament Despite Injury Concerns

Star Indian opener Smriti Mandhana has been cleared to play in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 despite coping with a blow in the head. She was knocked on her head by South African pacer Shabnim Ismail in Rangiora. She was shaken by the hit but reports confirmed that she did not feel any concussion symptoms. 

Smriti Mandhana took a blow on her head during the early stages of her innings in the warm-up game between India and South Africa. The team doctor attended to her and she had to retire hurt herself. 

Smriti Mandhana Retired Hurt After Being Hit On The Head By Shabnim Ismail

India scored 244 for 9 against South Africa. India lost Deepti Sharma and skipper Mithali Raj early. Harmanpreet Kaur then scored a brilliant century to take India close to 250. Harmanpreet joined Yastika Bhatia at the crease and the duo put up an 84-run stand. Bhatia scored 78-ball 58 contributing heavily to India’s total. 

In response, South Africa made a good fight out of the chase. Luus and Laura Wolvaardt scored the fifties but that was not enough to take South Africa over the line. In a closely fought contest, India earned a narrow victory by two runs. 

Talking about Smriti Mandhana. she scored her 20th ODI fifty in the last and final game against New Zealand heading into the Women’s World Cup. She has scored 2461 runs in 64 ODIs, including four centuries so far in her career. 

India are scheduled to play another warm-up, against West Indies, before beginning their World Cup campaign against Pakistan on March 6. 

Indian skipper Mithali Raj said that the Indian squad will be much more stronger by the time she retires after the World Cup. 

“When I retire after this tournament, I will see that the squad is far more stronger with the upcoming new talent,” Mithali said after the fifth ODI against New Zealand.

Also Read: Shane Watson ‘Super Excited’ For Australia’s Tour Of Pakistan