Women's T20 World Cup 2024: A forced change in India's playing XI; Why?

In the crucial Group A match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, India Women was forced to make one change in the playing XI after the toss. 

Sharjah Cricket Stadium is hosting the India Women vs Australia Women match. It is the must-win game for India Women to stay in the semifinals contention. 

Australian captain Alyssa Healy is injured as she was seen on crutches before the toss. Tahila McGrath is leading the Australian team for the match, while Ellyse Perry is the vice-captain for this fixture. 

After winning the toss, the Australian stand-in captain Tahila McGrath had no hesitation in choosing batting first. They made two changes from their last playing XI as Grace Harris and Darcie Brown replaced the injured Alyssa Healy and Tayla Vlaeminck. 

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was ok in the toss as she was confident to chase in Sharjah. At the toss, she confirmed India’s only change as Pooja Vastrakar replacing Sajeevan Sajana. 

Asha Sobhana was injured after the toss

However, just after the toss, the leg-spinner Asha Sobhana was seen hobbling, as she was moved out of the playing area for the treatment. Importantly, Asha was in India’s playing XI, which was already revealed at the toss.

Radha Yadav joined as a replacement

Now, India Women can only bring the replacement in the playing XI after the nod from Australia Women. As Australia Women had no problem with the replacement, the left-arm spinner Radha Yadav replaced Asha in the playing XI. 

In the official statement, the BCCI said, "Asha Sobhana is unable to participate in the today's game against Australia after she suffered a knee injury during the warm-up on the sidelines of toss. The ICC Match Referee requested the Australian captain [Tahlia McGrath] who agreed to the request for a replacement in India's Playing XI. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring Asha's progress."

UPDATE: Ms Asha Sobhana is unable to participate in the today's game against Australia after she suffered a knee injury during the warm-up on the sidelines of toss.

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 13, 2024