Harmanpreet Kaur Rests for First T20I Against England Women as Smriti Mandhana Takes Charge
Why Harmanpreet Kaur Is Not Playing 1st T20I Between India-W VS England-W?
Image: Times Now News
Harmanpreet Kaur will not participate in the first T20I against England Women on May 28, 2026, as she has been rested. Smriti Mandhana is leading the Indian team in her absence. Kaur will return for the second match on May 30.
- 01Harmanpreet Kaur is rested for the first T20I against England Women, with Smriti Mandhana captaining the team.
- 02This match is significant as it precedes the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup starting on June 12.
- 03Kaur missed the warm-up match due to attending the Padma Shri Award ceremony in New Delhi.
- 04Yastika Bhatia replaces Kaur in the middle order, while Nandini Sharma makes her debut.
- 05Mandhana had previously rested in the series against South Africa, indicating a trend of player rotation ahead of major tournaments.
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Harmanpreet Kaur will not play in the first T20I between the Indian and England women's cricket teams on May 28, 2026, at County Ground in Chelmsford. Smriti Mandhana is leading the team in Kaur's absence. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Kaur has been rested and is expected to return for the second match on May 30 in Bristol. This decision comes as the Indian team prepares for the upcoming 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, aiming for their first title following their historic success in the 2025 Women's World Cup. Kaur's absence is attributed to her recent participation in the Padma Shri Award ceremony, where she was honored by President Murmu in New Delhi. Consequently, Yastika Bhatia has been given an opportunity in the middle order, and Nandini Sharma is set to make her debut. The match is crucial for both teams as they finalize their strategies ahead of the World Cup.
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