Pooja Vastrakar replaces Smriti Mandhana in ODI squad

A flamboyant left-hander, Smriti wasn't close to her best in the recently-concluded T20 series against South Africa and was expected to get back her form in the ODI series. But to everyone’s dismay, she suffered a toe fracture during a practice which has forced her out of the series. 

With the return of veteran Mithali Raj to the side, the Indian women’s batting line up might be a bit relaxed but still, a lot depends on youngsters Jemimah Rodrigues, Veda Krishnamurthy, Taniya Bhatia and experienced Harmanpreet Kaur, in the absence of Smriti, to turn the team’s fortune. In the situation, the senior women's selection committee added Pooja Vastrakar to the team.

"Team India opening batter Smriti Mandhana has been ruled out of the ongoing 3-match ODI series against South Africa due to a fracture on her right toe. Smriti injured herself while batting in the nets ahead of the 1st ODI in Vadodara. She will begin her rehab at NCA soon. The All India Women’s Selection Committee has named Pooja Vastrakar as the replacement in the squad for the ODI series," Hemlata Kala, Chairperson, All-India Women’s Selection Committee said in a press release.

However, this injury to Mandhana has also flared up concern among the team management regarding their Windies tour. The Indian women will be touring the West Indies on October 14 and missing out Smriti will be too big a blow for the team. Although the extent of her injury is not known yet, the absence of Mandhana will be a huge blow for India.