Indian batting stalwart Smiriti Mandhana was on Monday cleared of serious head trauma after the left-hander was hit on the head by a Shabnim Ismail bouncer in the early stages of their first warm-up match against South Africa in Rangiora, New Zealand.
The ICC women's Cricket World Cup begins on March 4 across six venues in New Zealand and the 25-year-old Mandhana is integral to India's hopes of winning the elusive title. India have finished runners-up twice in the showpiece event and lost the 2017 edition final to England at Lord's.
"Ms Smriti Mandhana sustained a blow to her left ear and lower temple while batting in the warm-up game against South Africa in Rangiora. Smriti was immediately assessed by the match-day doctor who expected a delayed concussion. After further assessment, Smriti was diagnosed with a mild soft tissue injury to her left earlobe which caused discomfort while batting and therefore she had to leave the field retired hurt," said the BCCI in a statement.
The BCCI further said, "As a safety precaution, she was rested for the rest of the match and is currently under observation. Presently, the opening batter is doing fine and her condition is stable. Her progress will be monitored by the medical team and a decision on her participation in the next match will be taken accordingly."
On Sunday, Mandhana was assessed by the team doctor following the incident and was originally declared fit to continue, only to retire hurt an over-and-a-half later after another consultation.
At the time Mandhana retired hurt, the left-hander was unbeaten on 12 from 23 deliveries. But the blow did not affect India's charge in the warm-up game as Harmanpreet Kaur scored a century (103 off 114 deliveries) and top-order batter Yastika Bhatia scored a patient 78-ball 58 to guide the team to 244/9 in their allotted 50 overs. India won the warm-up game by two runs.
The left-hander felt no concussion symptoms according to the medical staff at the time, nor experienced delayed effects from the incident.
As a continued precaution, Mandhana did not take the field at the start of South Africa's innings.