Playing with a plate in her left index finger, Poonam Yadav spins a web around Australia in 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup opener

Poonam Yadav’s heroics against Australia at the Sydney Showground Stadium scripted a 17-run victory for India in the opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. There were doubts over her participation after her index finger on the left hand was in a sorry state. In the end, the physiotherapist resurrected it, using a plate for getting her ready for the T20 tournament.

On December 26, the leg-spinner from Agra developed the injury during a training session at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Poonam wasn’t a part of the tri-series, featuring home team Australia and England, that preceded the T20 World Cup. But a source, privy to the development, heaped praises on physio Tracy Fernandes for Yadav’s recovery.

Poonam’s left index finger was literally crushed

“Considering the state she was in, there was no chance that she was going to be fit for the tri-series. But still a decision was made that she travels to Australia as being away from the team at such a crucial time would have had a negative impact on her mindset. It would have also impacted her recovery,” the source was quoted as saying in India Today.

“A lot of credit must go to team physio Tracy Fernandes who worked tirelessly to ensure Poonam recovered. It was a very serious injury as the left index finger was literally crushed with the impact. Thank god it was not her bowling hand. A plate was inserted into her finger and it is still there,” the source added.

Yadav runs through the Aussie batting

Poonam managed to churn out figures of 4-0-19-4 that decimated the power-packed Aussie batting. Alyssa Healy, who scored 51, smashed her for a six, but perished to the spinner in the very next delivery. Once she got out, Poonam wreaked absolute havoc, helping India make a comeback.

She pinned Rachael Haynes and most importantly, Ellyse Perry for a golden duck. She could have gotten a hat-trick had Taniya Bhatia not dropped Jess Jonasssen. In her penultimate over, Poonam got rid of Jonassen. In her last over with the Aussies needing nearly 10 an over, Yadav gave only four runs.