Women's T20 WC: Will Harmanpreet Kaur's injury impact India's T20 World Cup hopes?
Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur faced a major setback in her T20 World Cup journey after suffering an injury during the match against Pakistan on Sunday. The incident occurred while she was batting, prompting her to leave the field in tears.
Having played brilliantly and looking set to secure victory for India, Harmanpreet's injury halted her momentum. The exact severity of the injury is still unclear, but it could jeopardize her participation in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup. Despite her untimely exit, India clinched a vital 6-wicket victory over Pakistan, marking their first win in the 2024 tournament after a loss to New Zealand in their opener.
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Harmanpreet's absence could significantly affect the team's morale and batting lineup, given her experience and leadership. She contributed 29 runs off 24 balls before retiring hurt, leaving the team to chase down a modest target of 106 runs.
Following the match, Smriti Mandhana provided an update on Harmanpreet's condition, stating, “Too soon to say anything. The medical team is looking at it.” Mandhana took over captaincy duties in the post-match presentation, acknowledging that the medical staff was assessing Harmanpreet’s neck injury.
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Mandhana expressed satisfaction with the victory, noting that while India could have performed better in their run-chase, they executed their plans well in the field. With the win, India improved their net run rate but remains behind other teams in the competition. Looking ahead to their next match against Sri Lanka on October 9, Mandhana emphasized the importance of the momentum gained from this victory.
