As India gear up to take on defending champions Australia in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup on Thursday, they face a major setback with captain Harmanpreet Kaur likely to feature and all rounder Pooja Vastraka ruled out.
Pacer Pooja was ruled out due to an upper respiratory tract infection, the BCCI confirmed. It was further reported that both have been shifted to a local hospital. Sheh Ran will replace Pooja Vastrakar in the starting XI.
Defending champions Australia, head into the semi-finals as firm favourites with a 3-2 head-to-head record against India in Women's T20 World Cup matches. Australia got the better of India in the 2020 T20 World Cup final and the Commonwealth Games gold medal match last year.
Australia won the five-game T20I series in India 4-1, last year. But they will be wary of India’s giant-killing instinct, with India being the only side to whom Australia have lost twice since 2021.
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