In an official statement, the franchise confirmed that Anushka is being closely monitored by the team’s medical staff and is recovering well, expressing optimism about her return in the near future. Due to the injury, the all-rounder could not feature in GG’s subsequent match against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday and was seen wearing a bandage on her right hand ahead of the match.
“Anushka is under the close supervision of the team’s medical staff and is progressing well. She will be a big miss for the team, but her long-term health and well-being remain our priority,” Gujarat Giants said in an official press release.
Speaking after the team’s loss to Mumbai Indians, head coach Michael Klinger indicated that the team hoped that Anushka would be available again around the start of the Vadodara leg of the tournament, which was scheduled to begin on January 19.
“Yes, we’re not sure. We’re hoping it’s just a race or two and then she’ll be back. She just needs a period of rest for her hand, and then we’re confident she’ll come back during the Vadodara leg. It’s being assessed and her hand is currently in a cast of sorts to keep it still. We’re just trying to give her the best chance to heal over the next week, and then hopefully things will work out for Baroda.” Klinger said this during a post-match conference.
The Giants have one more match to go in Navi Mumbai before moving to Vadodara against Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women on January 16.
Talking about Anushka, the Madhya Pradesh cricketer had made a strong impression on her WPL debut earlier this season. She scored a fluent 44 off 30 deliveries and hit seven fours at number three against UP Warriorz in their opening match for the tournament. That innings also included a match-defining partnership of 103 runs with the captain Ashleigh Gardner.
In the next match against Delhi Capitals, Anushka added a six and a four during her short ten-ball stay and also grabbed attention with a spectacular acrobatic fielding effort near the boundary to prevent Jemimah Rodrigues from clearing the ropes. While she is also an off-spin option, she has yet to compete in the tournament.
Get every cricket update! Follow us:
#WPL #Anushka #Sharma #sidelined #matches #due #hand #injury #CricTracker