In a promising development for Indian cricket, captain Harmanpreet Kaur has rejoined team practice ahead of the second Women’s T20I against England. After missing the first T20I due to a head injury, her return has sparked hope for a swift comeback from the Indian skipper.
Sneha Rana, India off-spinner, during the pre-match press conference stated, “There are positive signs. She (Harmanpreet Kaur) has joined the practice session today. She will be assessed and monitored post practice session.”
Kaur was ruled out of the opening WT20I at Trent Bridge after sustaining a head injury during a warm-up game against the ECB Select XI. The BCCI medical team opted to rest her as a precautionary measure to ensure complete recovery before rejoining in the competitive action. According to reports, she was under constant medical supervision and her condition was stable throughout.
Despite the absence of their regular skipper, India produced a commanding performance in the first T20I, led by stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana scored a blistering 112 off 62 deliveries, becoming the first Indian woman to register centuries in all three formats of the game. Debutant Shree Charani also impressed, picking up 4 wickets for just 12 runs, helping India bowl out England for 113, sealing a 97-run victory, one of India’s biggest wins over England in WT20Is.
While Kaur’s return to practice is encouraging, the final decision on her participation in the second WT20I will be taken after further medical assessment. With the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup months away, the Indian team management is expected to exercise caution and avoid rushing her return.
Mandhana’s strong leadership has given the team breathing room to manage Kaur’s recovery without compromising on performance. The win in the series opener has already given India a 1-0 lead, and her availability for the second match would only strengthen the side further.
India and England are scheduled to face off in the second T20I at Bristol on July 1. If Harmanpreet clears the final fitness test, she could make her return to lead the side and contribute with both bat and strategy as India looks to further strengthen their grip on the series.
