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Explained: Why Harmanpreet Kaur Is Not Playing 1st T20I vs England Women

Abhinav Tyagi

Harmanpreet Kaur Misses out - (Source : @Johns/X.com)Harmanpreet Kaur Misses out - (Source : @Johns/X.com)

On Saturday, June 28, Indian women locked horns against England women in the first of a five-match T20I series at the Trent Bridge. The hosts won the toss and opted to field first. Interestingly, Smriti Mandhana walked for the toss, and it appeared like Harmanpreet Kaur hadn't recovered from her illness.

However, the RCB star batter, when asked about the regular captain's absence, revealed that Harmanpreet Kaur missed out on the ongoing match because of a head injury.

Harmanpreet Kaur Out With Injury

The BCCI took to social media platforms to update fans about the regular skipper and revealed that she sustained the injury during the warm-up ahead of the first T20I and has been left out of the team as a precautionary measure. 

"Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested for the first T20I against England Women in Nottingham as a precautionary measure following a head injury sustained during the T20 Warm-up match against ECB Select XI," wrote BCCI. 

In Kaur's absence, Smriti Mandhana took charge of the team and Shafali Verma will act as her deputy. 

Kaur's Absence In Press Conference Raised Doubts

The question on Harmanpreet's availability were raised during a press conference held a day before the match, where vice-captain Smriti Mandhana spoke with the reporters. During the presser, Mandhana revealed that Kaur was not feeling well which is why she stepped in. However, the RCB captain also added that Harmanpreet was available for the 1st T20I. 

“I don’t think she’s not playing; she’s just unwell today. I am here just filling up (for Harmanpreet) today,” remarked Mandhana during the presser.

Talking about the ongoing match, at the time of writing this article, India women,  batting first, are 6/0 after a over as both stand-in captain and vice-captain are batting together.