Star opener Smriti Mandhana suffered an injury scare ahead of the women's ODI World Cup after being hit on the head during India's first warm-up match against South Africa here on Sunday. The left-handed batter retired hurt after copping a nasty blow on her helmet in the early stages of the game in Rangiora.

According to a report in ICC website, it was a bouncer from South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail which hit her, leaving Mandhana visibly shaken.

The 25-year-old Mandhana was assessed by the team doctor after the incident and was initially deemed fit to continue, only to retire hurt an over and a half later following another consultation.

According to the medical staff, she didn't feel any initial concussion symptoms but left the ground as a precautionary measure. She did not take the field at the start of South Africa's innings.

Mandhana, who played only the last two ODIs against New Zealand after being in extended quarantine, is a vital cog in India's ODI side and is expected to play a key role in the World Cup which gets underway on Friday.

The Mumbaikar, ranked 8th in ICC women's ODI player rankings, has scored 2461 runs in 64 ODIs at an average of 41.71. She had hit 71 off 84 balls in the final ODI to deny the White Ferns a whitewash in the five-match series.

Ishan Kishan File Picture

Ishan Kishan taken to hospital after blow to the head in second T20I against SL

Dharamsala: India opener Ishan Kishan was admitted to a city hospital and underwent a brain scan after being struck on the head during the second T20I against Sri Lanka here. Kishan, who made 16 from 15 deliveries on Saturday, was hit on the head by a Lahiru Kumara bouncer in the fourth over during India's chase.

The wicketkeeper batter had removed his helmet immediately after the blow before India's medical team ran to the field for the concussion test. "Ishan Kishan was admitted to Fortis Hospital for brain scan after being hit on the head by Lahiru Kumara bouncer," a BCCI source told PTI. "He stayed overnight at the hospital as a precautionary measure."

The BCCI is awaiting the scan result as Kishan is expected to be back in the Team hotel. However, there is a chance that the Southpaw might be rested for the final match of the series here on Sunday. In that case, either Mayank Agarwal or Venkatesh Iyer can open the batting alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.

Batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Suryakumar Yadav and pacer Deepak Chahar are already out of the series with injuries. India already have the three-match T20 series in the bag having won the first and second matches by seven wickets and 62 runs respectively.

PTI