India’s key opening batter Smriti Mandhana has been cleared to play the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand despite going down with a blow to her head on February 27. She was hit on her head while batting in India’s first warm-up fixture against South Africa.
The India-South Africa untelevised warm-up game became infamous for its inappropriate coverage because of irregular score updates on the ICC website. But something even more contentious took place from India’s perspective as Mandhana was forced to retire hurt after a bouncer blow in Rangiora.
Initially, the elegant left-hand batter was green signalled to continue her innings after immediate assessment from the Indian team doctor. But only an over and a half later, Mandhana felt enough discomfort and dizziness to get back in the shed following a consultation.
ESPNcricinfo reported, while “visibly shaken” by the blow received off the bowling of Shabnim Ismail, Mandhana thankfully did not experience any concussion symptoms, something the ICC put a stamp of approval on later.
The governing body said in a report, Mandhana “felt no concussion symptoms according to the medical staff at the time, nor experienced delayed effects from the incident.”
With no concussion and no after-effects, Mandhana is allowed to get on with her build-up for the World Cup. The left-hander might opt out of the second warm-up game on March 1 against the West Indies as a precautionary measure. But seems set to take on Pakistan in India’s World Cup opener on March 6. The tournament kicks off two days early with hosts New Zealand facing the West Indies at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
Mandhana is critical to India’s chances of going all the way in New Zealand. Emerging as one of the stars of Indian women’s batting through the World Cup’s last edition in England back in 2017, she has since compiled 1,528 runs from 32 ODIs at an average of 54.57 with a strike-rate of 90.57. The batter will be hoping to stand up to the task and help her team achieve the unprecedented glory.
