Smriti Mandhana will not play against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup opener, according to reports

According to the most recent media sources, star Indian opener Smriti Mandhana is questionable for India’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 opening against bitter foe Pakistan.

The top-order batsman is believed to have hurt her finger, keeping her from playing against Pakistan on February 12 in Cape Town.

The pioneering opener did not bat in India’s most recent exhibition match against Bangladesh, despite there being no official confirmation of the injury from the Indian side. Smriti Mandhana was reportedly observed during the game with a severely wrapped middle finger on her left hand, notwithstanding the possibility that it was a tactical decision by the team management to give the other batters plenty of playing time.

According to reports, the 26-year-old suffered a finger injury against Australia in India’s opening exhibition match. Given their recent bat weakness and desire to begin their World Cup campaign with a victory, it will be a major setback for the Women in Blue. The cricketer from Maharashtra is having an uncharacteristically poor run with the bat, and an injury could lower her spirits before the ICC mega event.

Along with favourites Australia and England, India enters the competition as one of the event’s top contenders after losing the exciting tri-series final in South Africa. In addition to Smriti Mandhana, there are rumours that Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur will also miss the crucial match against Pakistan because of a shoulder ache.

The tri-series final between India and the South African hosts earlier this month is assumed to be the cause of the Indian captain’s shoulder injury. If accurate, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time for the Asian team, which is hoping to end its trophy drought in ICC competitions in the next competition.