Women’s T20 WC: Harmanpreet Kaur fit to lead India in must-win tie vs Sri Lanka, confirms Smriti Mandha

sanjeev

khelja|09-10-2024

India is set to lock horns with Sri Lanka in a must-win encounter in match 12 of the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup on Wednesday (Oct 9).
Ahead of the crucial tie, of Group A, Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana confirmed that skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is fit to lead the side. Notably, Harmanpreet got injured during India's seven-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (Oct 6). In the pre-match presser, Smriti said, "She (Harman) is doing fine, and she will be ready for tomorrow's game." Harmanpreet had discomfort in her neck while batting in India's 106-run chase over the Women in Green at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Thus, she walked off the field retired hurt on 29 (off 24 balls) before the end of the proceedings. However, her return to fitness bodes well for India who have to win and aim to win big versus the Lankans, given they are precariously placed, at the fourth spot, in the group standings with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of -1.217.   India are also sweating hard over fast-bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar's fitness, who missed the Pakistan clash. Ahead of the SL game, she was seen at the practice session, with strapping on her left foot and right thigh. "Pooja, I think the medical team is still working on her. So, the update will come only tomorrow during the match. But yeah, I don't think I can say anything at the moment," Mandhana said. While Pooja's injury status remains under dark clouds, she did bowl a bit in the nets. India will aim to field a strong XI and come out all guns blazing in their remaining two games -- versus Sri Lanka and Australia, respectively. The Women in Blue have won only a solitary game out of two and, thus, the threat of early elimination looms.
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