ICC Women's T20 WC: Will Smriti Mandhana play today against Pakistan? Coach reveals

Indian Women's cricket team batsman and vice captain Smriti Mandhana is likely to miss Team India's opening encounter against Pakistan in ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023. reason behind Mandhana t playing is her finger injury which she picked up during Team India's first Warm Up game against Australia. 

India coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar has dropped an update on Mandhana's injury and has also revealed wher she will play inaugural match or t. Kanitkar said Mandhana is still recovering with her injury and she likely won't play first match.

Kanitkar said: 'Smriti has a finger injury and is still (in) recovery'

“Smriti has a finger injury and is still (in) recovery, so she won’t play most likely. It’s t a fracture and we’re hopeful she will be available from second game onwards", Kanitkar said during press conference. 

“You want to be playing strong teams, arch-rivals if you can call m that. We are totally prepared for what happens, atmosphere is good", Kanitkar ded. 

Kanitkar furr said that Harmanpreet Kaur is fit to play and has recovered from her shoulder injury which picked up during Tri-Series against West Indies and South Africa. 

“Harman is fit to play. She has batted for last two days in nets, she is fine", Kanitkar said. 

Team India will face Pakistan in ir first encounter of ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023. India led by Harmanpreet Kaur has a star studded batting line up including Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma. On or side Bismah Maroof's Pakistan has also been in good touch off late and will also look to start tournament with a win. 

match will be played at Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town and will start from 06:30 pm IST.