Swashbuckling India opener Smiriti Mandhana got a huge blow during the warm-up match against South Africa. She was hit on the head by a deadly Shabnim Ismail bouncer in the early stages of their match in Rangiora and she eventually retired hurt.
However, the team doctor assessed Mandhana soon after the incident and was originally declared fit to continue as well. But she only retired hurt an over and a half later after another consultation too. The veteran left-handed batter was visibly shaken by the blow, though she felt no concussion symptoms as per the medical staff. She left the ground as a precaution.
As far as the game is concerned, Team India posted 244 after they were put in to bat by South African captain Sune Luus. Having started slowly earlier on a green Rangiora Oval surface, Yastika Bhatia studied the ship along with Harmanpreet Kaur after a few early wickets.
While Smriti Mandhana scored only 12 before retiring hurt, Deepti Sharma could only manage 5. Meanwhile, captain Mithali Raj was run out after a mix-up with Bhatia for a duck as well. And, it brought Harmanpreet Kaur in the middle. She looked in great touch and scored a fifty as well. Even, Bhatia too smashed 58 off 78 balls with four boundaries and a six, adding an 84-run stand with Kaur.
After Bhatia’s dismissal, Kaur held the innings from one end and along with the lower order, she smashed a fine hundred. She smashed 103 off 114 with 9 boundaries before getting out in the 45th over and India managed to post 244 on the board in the allotted 50 overs.
On the other hand, Smriti Mandhana did not take the field at the start of South Africa’s innings as well.
