Follow UsAn injury scare for India as Smriti Mandhana gets hit on the head by a bouncer by Shabnim Ismail during the warm-up match against South Africa on Sunday (February 27) ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup 2022.
As a result, Mandhana had to retire hurt after being assessed by the team doctor. Initially, she was cleared to continue, following another consultation an over and a half later, she decided to head back to the pavilion.
According to the medical staff, she didn't feel any initial concussion symptoms but left the ground as a precautionary measure. She did not take the field at the start of South Africa's innings.
Mandhana, who played only the last two ODIs against New Zealand after being in extended quarantine, is a vital cog in India's ODI side and is expected to play a key role in the World Cup which gets underway on Friday.
The Mumbaikar ranked 8th in ICC women's ODI player rankings has scored 2461 runs in 64 ODIs at an average of 41.71. She had hit 71 off 84 balls in the final ODI to deny the White Ferns a whitewash in the five-match series.
(With inputs from PTI)