Harmanpreet Kaur suffered an injury scare during India’s ODI series opener against Australia women’s national cricket team at Allan Border Field on Tuesday, forcing her to sit out the second innings of the match. According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Indian captain sustained a blow to her left knee while batting in the first innings.

As a precautionary measure, she did not take the field later in the match, with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana stepping in to lead the side.

“Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has not taken the field in the second innings after sustaining an injury to her left knee while batting. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring her progress. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is leading the side in her absence,” the BCCI said in an official statement.

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Before the injury setback, Harmanpreet played a fighting knock under challenging conditions. The experienced middle-order batter scored a steady 53 off 84 deliveries before being dismissed by Ashleigh Gardner. During her innings, Harmanpreet appeared to hurt her knee while facing pace bowler Megan Schutt, but chose to continue batting despite the discomfort.

🚨 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has not taken the field in the second innings after sustaining an injury to her left knee while batting. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring her progress. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is leading the side in her absence.#TeamIndia |…

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) February 24, 2026

India’s innings, however, never truly gathered momentum as Australia’s disciplined bowling attack maintained control throughout. Opting to bat first under overcast skies, India found it difficult to negotiate the early swing and seam movement on offer.

Mandhana initially looked shaky but gradually settled and stitched together a brief partnership with Harmanpreet to stabilise the innings. Australia struck at regular intervals, though, leaving India struggling at 140 for 6 and firmly on the back foot.

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A 53-run partnership between Harmanpreet and Kashvee Gautam briefly revived India’s hopes of posting a competitive total. However, once Harmanpreet departed, the momentum swung back towards the hosts. Gautam tried to push the total higher with the lower order, but lacked consistent support from the tail. The lively pitch, offering extra bounce and seam movement, continued to assist the Australian bowlers as India were eventually bowled out for 214.