India women team’s problems have been compounded as they have lost all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar and are uncertain about skipper Harmanpreet Kaur being fit for the semi-final clash on Thursday against Australia in the T20 World Cup 2023 in Cape Town.
Harmanpreet Kaur hadn’t batted in the nets a day before the game. Then on the morning of the game, the news came that Kaur and Vastrakar had been hospitalized because of an illness.
While Vastrakar has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, with spinning all-rounder Sneh Rana added to the squad as her replacement, Harmanpreet Kaur will perform a late fitness test. However, the chances of her making the game are dim.
A report in Cricbuzz said that Kaur and Vastrakar “reported ill in the build-up to the game and needed hospitalisation. They were discharged on Wednesday (February 22) evening.”
“It is learnt that BCCI is monitoring Harmanpreet and a decision on her participation will be taken a little closer to the game.”
The India skipper has had fever for the past two days.
Harmanpreet Kaur has scored only 66 runs in 4 matches in the tournament so far.
If Harmanpreet is not fit to play, then vice-captain Smriti Mandhana will lead the side against Australia. Vastrakar played in all 4 league matches, picking up 2 wickets.
Sneh Rana, Harleen Deol, Anjali Sarvani are options India have on the bench.
India are also fretting over the fitness of spinner Radha Yadav, who missed the last game due to injury. If she’s fit, she’d walk straight in the XI.
When is the Ind-W vs Aus-W 1st semi-final T20 World Cup 2023?
The India-Australia semi-final in Cape Town will be start on Thursday, February 23, at 6:30 PM IST (3pm local time). The match will be aired on Star Sports 1 and its live streaming will be available on Disney+Hotstar.
India finished second in their group, behind England, by winning 3 out of 4 group matches. But there weren’t convincing in their last two matches – a 11-run loss to England and a narrow 5-run (DLS) win over Ireland. Multiple Indian players will have to bring their best game if they have to stand a chance to beat Australia.
Defending their T20 world champions crown, Australia, as usual, were rampant in the group stage, winning all their 4 matches, and all by comfortable margins. Meg Lanning’s team will enter today’s semi-final as overwhelming favorites.
