Top News

Harmanpreet Kaur back for practice after missing first T20I dur to suspicious head injury

Cricket Gully | July 1, 2025 7:39 PM CST

India women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur resumed training on Monday, just ahead of the second T20I against England in Bristol. She had missed the series opener after suffering a head injury during a warm-up match against the ECB Development XI last week.

While her availability for the upcoming fixture remains uncertain, her return to the practice nets has sparked cautious optimism within the Indian camp. India all-rounder Sneh Rana confirmed,

“There are positive signs, she [Harmanpreet] has joined the practice session today. She will be assessed and monitored post the practice session.”

The exact nature or moment of Harmanpreet’s injury remains unclear, but she was hit during the warm-up clash where she scored 28 off 16 before falling lbw to leg-spinner Sarah Glenn. India narrowly lost that game by six runs and Harmanpreet did not attend the pre-series press conference that followed.

Read also: Can fast bowlers be Javelin pro? Aussie legend downplays Neeraj Chopra's claim

Mandhana Steps Up With Century; Bristol T20I Set for Milestone

In Harmanpreet’s absence, Smriti Mandhana captained India in the first T20I at Nottingham. Not only did she lead, but she also etched her name in history with a commanding maiden T20I century. Mandhana became the first Indian woman to score a century in all three international formats, and only the fifth overall. She later revealed that she was informed about her captaincy duties just hours before the game, though she “had a 50-50 idea” and was mentally prepared.

The 97-run victory at Nottingham gave India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. On Tuesday, Mandhana is also set to mark her 150th T20I appearance — a feat achieved by only six others globally. Harmanpreet Kaur, with 178 matches, leads the tally across men’s and women’s cricket. Rana added,

“It’s a special occasion for her and the Indian team. We are grateful to have her in the team.”

Rana herself returned to T20I action in Nottingham, playing her first match since the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. The remaining games of the series will take place at The Oval (July 4), Manchester (July 9), and Birmingham (July 12), ahead of a three-match ODI series.