India Women’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur returns to training ahead of second T20I

The India Women’s team has received a major boost ahead of the second T20I against England Women at the County Ground in Bristol. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who missed the first game of the series due to a head injury, hsa returned to training and could potentially return to lead the team after Smriti Mandhana stood in for the opening game.

The 36-year-old middle-order batter suffered the devastating injury in the warm-up match against the ECB Development Women's XI. While it is not confirmed whether Kaur will return in the second T20I, India star all-rounder Sneh Rana has confirmed that Harmanpreet has returned to practice and will be assessed and monitored post the session ahead of the upcoming game against the Three Lionesses.

“There are positive signs, she has joined the practice session today. She will be assessed and monitored post the practice session,” Rana said as quoted by ESPNCrcinfo.

Despite the absence of Harmanpreet, Mandhana played her role as the stand-in skipper in the first T20I at Trent Bridge to perfection. India won by a huge margin of 97 runs after they set a huge target of 211 in the first innings and bowled out the England team for a paltry 113. Mandhana was the player of the match after bringing up her maiden T20I century, scoring 112 off just 62 deliveries.

This was the fourth biggest victory margin for the team in T20Is and the biggest margin of defeat for England Women. This win has ensured that they take a 1-0 lead in the series and will be looking to double their lead in the upcoming game.