Published: Jan 16, 2017, 05:19 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 16, 2017, 05:23 PM (IST)
With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recalling members of the India Women’s Team, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) has taken a new turn. In the match between Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat on Sunday, Smriti Mandhana suffered a knee injury that is likely to end her innings in WBBL. The 20-year-old landed awkwardly on her knee and also appears doubtful to play the initial ICC World Cup Qualifier matches that are scheduled to begin from February 7 in Sri Lanka. Mandhana, who was helped off the field post injury, will undergo scan on Monday.
BREAKING: Scans for @SmritiMandhana after suspected ligament damage. Thoughts are with our Indian International.#TurnUpTheHeat#WBBL02 pic.twitter.com/fbr10i9xY1
— Brisbane Heat WBBL (@HeatWBBL) January 15, 2017
The Brisbane Heat’s official website stated, “The Heat’s seven-wicket loss was further soured by an injury to international player Smriti Mandhana, who was helped off Allan Border Field after she fell awkwardly while bowling. Mandhana will have scans on her knee tomorrow but the Heat are concerned she has played her last game before her scheduled return to India for preparations for the ICC Women’s World Cup (Qualifiers).” This was yet another setback for Heat after West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin also suffered multiple cheekbone fractures following collision with Laura Harris at the same venue around three weeks back.
ALSO READ: BCCI withdraws Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana from BBL
Now that Mandhana stint comes to an end with the injury, Sydney Thunder are also going to face a setback with the Harmanpreet returning to India for the practice session ahead of the World Cup Qualifier.
The ICC World Cup Qualifier will see India Women being led by Mithali Raj. Harmanpreet will be deputy for the tournament. Vanitha VR, who was part of the ACC WT20 2016, has been dropped from the side. Sukanya Parida, a well known player in domestic arena is also part of the squad along with Devika Vaidya.
