Leg Spinner Asha Sobhana of India was forced out of the final Group A match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 versus Australia in Sharjah due to a knee injury sustained after the toss. Radha Yadav, an all-rounder with left-arm spin bowling, took Sobhana’s spot in the XI.
Sobhana was one of the XIs named after at the time of the event, which took place outside of the toss. She did not align with the rest of the squad for the national anthems and was later taken for a medical evaluation.
India filed an official request with match referee Shandre Fritz by the ICC Playing Conditions. However, Tahlia McGrath, the opposition captain filling in for an injured Alyssa Healy, had to grant permission.
Radha can bowl and bat in the game; she was named as a replacement, not a substitute. “Each captain shall nominate 11 players plus a maximum of four substitute fielders in writing on the team sheet provided by the ICC,” reads section 1.2.1 of the ICC Playing Conditions.
No player (member of the playing eleven) may be substituted after nomination but before play begins without the opposing captain’s approval, except what is stated in clause 1.2.7 [referring to concussion subs].”
This is Radha’s first official T20 World Cup 2024 match after stepping in for captain Harmanpreet Kaur during India’s earlier match in Dubai against Sri Lanka. Shortly after play began, the board said, “The BCCI medical team is monitoring Asha’s progress.”
In India’s three prior Group A matches, Sobhana was a fixture, taking five wickets at an economy rate of 5.41. She had the greatest World Cup results against Sri Lanka, with 3 for 19 in her four overs.
With regular captain Healy sidelined by a right foot injury, Australia also faced injury concerns ahead of the game. Tayla Vlaeminck, a pacer who had dislocated her shoulder while fielding against Pakistan on Friday, was officially replaced in the 15-player squad by Heather Graham shortly before kickoff.
India and Australia are playing their final group match of the World Cup, and both teams are vying for a semifinal position. With six points from three games and a strong net run-rate of +2.786, Australia leads the standings and has yet to lose. India is ranked second with an NRR of +0.576.