India ‘confident’ Smriti Mandhana can play against West Indies
Nasser Hussain joins Sanjana Ganesan on Digital Daily to discuss India's victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Victory over Pakistan in the team’s opening match came despite the absence of star batter Smriti Mandhana.
The 26-year-old was forced to sit out the match as a precaution due to a finger injury and watched on as her teammates produced an inspired run-chase to beat neighbours Pakistan by 7 wickets.
India and Pakistan players interact in change rooms after Cape Town clash at Women's T20 World Cup 2023
But, with a key fixture against West Indies coming up on Wednesday, India are hopeful of being able to recall the batter ranked third in the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Batting Rankings.
“Yeah, she’s been working very hard,” India coach Troy Cooley revealed to reporters as the team prepare for the game at Newlands. “It’ll obviously be assessed after today.
“She did everything [that] was needed to be done today and from us, we’ll look at how she pulls up.
“But we’re pretty confident. She got through the session today and did everything she needed to do.”
Only Australian duo Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney are ranked higher than Mandhana in the format.
The Indian star has already played 112 T20Is for India, averaging 27.32 at a strike rate of 123.13.
And if India are to go all the way and win their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, then they are likely to need Mandhana fit and firing.
The meeting with West Indies is the first of two matches scheduled to be held at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday, with Pakistan facing Ireland in the day’s second game.