The India Women’s team were on the backfoot ahead of their T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan on Sunday with star batter and team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana likely to miss the game as she is yet to recover from a finger injury she suffered during a warm-up match.

The 26-year-old opener injured her left middle finger while fielding during the warm-up match against Australia on Monday.

“She suffered an injury in the practice game. We can’t say she is out of World Cup yet. But she could miss the Pakistan game,” a source revealed.

The left-handed batter had batted at No.3 against Australia instead of her usual opening position and her innings lasted only three balls.
Mandhana had subsequently missed India’s second warm-up game against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu during her 50-ball 68 in the opening game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group A match against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday. The host nation won the toss and chose to field. Sri Lanka finished their 20 overs on 129/4. Getty Images

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s fitness is also a concern. She had injured her shoulder during the final of the tri-series against South Africa last week.

“Body is fine. It will get better with rest,” Harmanpreet had said after the final.

However, the big-hitting middle-order batter did not bat in either of India’s warm-up matches.

Aussies take field

Saturday will see two matches in the competition, with England Women squaring off against the West Indies while Australia take on neighbours New Zealand.

England have been one of the most consistent teams of the Women’s T20 World Cup, having reached the semi-finals six times of the seven editions held so far. Captained by Heather Knight, they go into the tournament ranked second and are expected to pose a tough challenge to Australia for the title.

For Saturday’s game, England are the overwhelming favourites. They are in good form and had beaten the West Indies 5-0 in their previous T20 series in the Caribbean.

Besides Knight, bowlers Lauren Bell and Charlie Dean, and batters Danni Wyatt and Maia Bouchier are expected to play key roles for the team.

In the second match, Australia, the defending champions, should have the upper hand against the White Ferns, but then they would hope that their surprise warmup defeat to Ireland doesn’t haunt them.

Australia have the most powerful team with the likes of Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy having rich experience of big tournaments. But they could not defend 168 against the Irish and that would keep them worried.

After the defeat to Ireland, vice-captain Healy said Australia are focusing on “adaptability” to do well in the tournament. Saturday will prove if they have made any progress on that front.

Written with inputs from PTI