A BCCI media statement after India’s innings, where Harmanpreet scored a half-century, said she had “sustaining an injury to her left knee while batting” and the medical team “is monitoring her progress”. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana led India in Harmanpreet’s absence.
It was not clear when Harmanpreet picked up the injury, but she did receive some on-field treatment at the end of the 38th over of India’s innings, when she was on 40 from 67 balls. She continued till the 44th over before falling for 53 off 84 balls, having put up a 53-run stand in 61 balls with Kashvee Gautam, who scored 43 in 44 balls before becoming the last batter out.
Harmanpreet hit three fours in her innings, which was almost entirely about rebuilding after India had collapsed to 140 for 6 in the 34th over despite Mandhana’s 58 off 68 balls from the top.
Australia, who lost the preceding T20I series 2-1, are without two key players for the entire ODI series: Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth both picked up quad injuries in the last T20I and are now in a race to be fit for the one-off Test match that will be played after the ODIs. Megan Schutt, who was not part of the original ODI squad, came into the XI and played her part in restricting India to a low total, returning 2 for 42 from her nine overs.
