India captain Harmanpreet Kaur picked up a left knee injury while batting against Australia Women in Brisbane in the opening ODI of the three-match series. Despite the setback, she continued her innings and scored 53 off 84 deliveries, striking three boundaries, as India were bowled out for 214 in 48.3 overs.
Kaur did not return to the field during Australia’s chase, with Smriti Mandhana taking over leadership duties. The BCCI later confirmed that the skipper remained off the field and said the medical staff would continue to assess her condition.
Smriti Mandhana Takes Charge
The BCCI also clarified that Smriti Mandhana would captain the side in Kaur’s absence. Mandhana has previously led India in four ODIs, with the team remaining unbeaten under her leadership in that format.
At the time of writing, Australia were 154/3 in pursuit of 215, putting India under pressure in the contest.
Gritty Fifty Amid Injury Concerns
The exact point at which Kaur experienced discomfort remains unclear. However, she battled through the issue to register a valuable half-century that helped India cross the 200-run mark. The 36-year-old finished with 53 from 84 balls, including three boundaries, making her India’s second-highest scorer behind Mandhana.
Her absence comes as a setback for India, especially after a successful leadership run in the preceding series. Ahead of the ODIs, India competed in a three-match T20I series against Australia, where the visitors achieved a historic series win on Australian soil. The triumph was a significant moment for Kaur, making the injury during the ODI series particularly disappointing.
Ongoing Fitness Challenges
Kaur has faced recurring fitness concerns over the past 12–14 months. In December 2024, she missed a couple of T20Is against West Indies due to injury problems.
Speaking about her condition earlier, Kaur said, “I should give credit to our physio team, they’ve been working really hard. I’ve been struggling with the knee for 3-4 months, big thanks to them for getting me fit,”.
