Harmanpreet participation in 2nd T20i subject to fitness, with skipper to be ‘assessed and monitored’ constantly.
Harmanpreet participation to be ‘assessed and monitored’ ahead of the Bristol T20I.
On the eve of Tuesday’s second Twenty20 International match against England in Bristol, India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur resumed his workout regimen. She missed the first game of the five-match series as a precaution after being hit in the T20 warm-up match against the ECB Development XI last week, resulting in a head injury. On match day, India will make a decision about Harmanpreet’s participation.
Harmanpreet hit 28 off 16 with four fours before being trapped leg before wicket by legspinner Sarah Glenn, causing India to miss their 195-run total by six runs. However, it is unclear how or when she sustained the head injury in that match. She then skipped the first Twenty20 International in Nottingham, which India won by 97 runs, and failed to speak at the pre-series news conference.
“There are positive signs, she [Harmanpreet] has joined the practice session today,” offspin-bowling allrounder Sneh Rana said on Monday. “She will be assessed and monitored post the practice session.”
India took a 1-0 lead because to Smriti Mandhana, who replaced her as captain and struck her first T20I century. She achieved a century in all three forms of international cricket, making her the first Indian woman and only the sixth overall. Just hours before the game, she was informed that she would be captaining the team, but she “had a 50-50 idea” and was prepared for it, she later stated.
Mandhana will add another feather to her cap on Tuesday in Bristol when she becomes the sixth player overall and only the second player from India to play 150 women’s Twenty20 Internationals. Harmanpreet has the most T20Is of any gender, at 178.
“It’s a special occasion for her and the Indian team,” Rana said of Mandhana’s feat. “We are grateful to have her in the team.”