Indian women's cricket team's star batter Smriti Mandhana is currently stable and is expected to be fit to play in the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 in New Zealand despite taking a blow to the head.
Mandhana was forced to retire hurt after being hit on the head by a Shabnim Ismail bouncer during India’s first warm-up fixture against South Africa Women that India won by two runs.
According to an ICC report, the 25-year-old opener was assessed by the Indian team doctor following the incident and was originally declared fit to continue, but after one over and half over of batting, she decided to retire hurt following another consultation.
The left-hander felt no concussion symptoms, according to the medical staff at the time, nor experienced delayed effects from the incident in the following days, and the BCCI on Monday (February 28) issued an update on her health ahead of the Women’s World Cup 2022, starting on March 4.
"Smriti was diagnosed with a mild soft tissue injury to her left earlobe which caused discomfort while batting and therefore she had to leave the field retired hurt," the board said in a statement.
"Presently, the opening batter is doing fine and her condition is stable. Her progress will be monitored by the medical team and a decision on her participation in the next match will be taken accordingly," it further added.
Meanwhile, in the warm-up match, Harmanpreet Kaur slammed a stunning century, while Yastika Bhatia scored 58 runs to help India post 244/9 in their 50 overs.
Chasing the total, South Africa was on track thanks to the fifties from Laura Wolvaardt (83) and Sune Luus (86), but Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s (4/54) stunning performance with the ball left them 2 runs short of victory.
Notably, the Indian team is scheduled to play another warm-up against West Indies on March 1 before beginning their World Cup 2022 campaign against the arch-rivals Pakistan on March 6.
(With PTI Inputs)
