Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Asha Sobhana suffers knee injury after toss, Australia allow Radha Yadav as last-minute replacement

Asha Sobhana was named in India’s playing XI for their high-voltage game against Australia in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup. However, the spinner injured her knee during practice, which ruled the 33-year-old out of the contest. Interestingly, captain Harmanpreet Kaur had already shared the team list with Australia’s stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath during the toss, which forced the match referee to intervene and have a chat with both captains regarding the situation concerning Sobhana’s injury.

Notably, soon after the injury, Sobhana was taken for medical assessment and the cricketer wasn’t even present during the national anthem ceremony. Meanwhile, McGrath, who replaced injured Alyssa Healy as captain, issued no objection, which helped the Indian side name Radha Yadav as Sobhana’s replacement in the playing XI. Meanwhile, ICC’s rule allows such moves but it depends on a few conditions, such as permission from the opposition captain.

“Each captain shall nominate 11 players plus a maximum of four substitute fielders in writing on the team sheet provided by the ICC. Other than set out in clause 1.2.7 [pertaining to concussion subs], no player (member of the playing eleven) may be changed after the nomination and prior to the start of play without the consent of the opposing captain,” ICC’s Playing Conditions section 1.2.1 states.

India lose to Australia by 9 runs

India’s Renuka Singh Yadav picked up two crucial wickets in the powerplay but that couldn’t put a break on Australia’s juggernaut. Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath built a strong partnership of 62 runs to bring them back into the contest. Later, senior all-rounder Ellyse Perry played an important knock of 32 runs off 23 deliveries to help Australia post a strong total on the board.

Chasing 152 runs, the openers failed to build a big partnership. Mandhana was dismissed for six runs while Shafali Verma made a quick-fire 20 off 13 balls. Harmanpreet led the way till the end with a 54* off 47 balls but she did not receive enough support from the other end. Thus, India fell short by nine runs in the end, jeopardising their semi-final chances.