Picture Credit: CREIMAS
Harmanpreet Kaur sat out India Women’s opening T20I against England Women’s national cricket team as part of workload management ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that the regular skipper had been rested for the first fixture of the white-ball series in Chelmsford.
In Harmanpreet’s absence, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana assumed leadership responsibilities for the Indian side.
The BCCI announced the development through a social media update, stating that Harmanpreet would likely return for the second encounter of the series.
At the toss, Mandhana expressed confidence regarding the captain’s recovery and revealed that India handed a debut to Nandani Sharma, who emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker during the recent Women’s Premier League season.
England also entered the contest without regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who continues recovering from a calf injury.
Spinner Charlie Dean captained the hosts, while newcomer Tilly Corteen-Coleman received her maiden international cap.
India approaches the three-match T20I series as a crucial preparatory assignment before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The team seeks to acclimatise to English conditions while building momentum after recent white-ball success against the hosts.
Ahead of the match, Harmanpreet admitted that lifting the World Cup trophy in England would fulfil a lifelong ambition. She reflected emotionally on beginning her international journey in England and described a potential title triumph there as a dream outcome for her cricketing career.
India Women continue using the series to refine combinations and strengthen preparations for the marquee global tournament later this year.
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