Arundhati Reddy Shakes Off Injury Fears, Returns to Star for India Women Against New Zealand

Arundhati Reddy admitted she was “really scared” after a freak injury in India’s first warm-up match against England on September 25. While following through, she instinctively reached for a sharp return catch from Heather Knight, lost her balance, and landed awkwardly on her left leg, collapsing on the field.

Medical staff rushed in, attempting to help her walk off, but she couldn’t put weight on the leg, so a wheelchair escorted her off for treatment. Despite doubts over her participation, Reddy returned against New Zealand, taking the wickets of Isabella Gaze and Jess Kerr, finishing with 9-0-42-2, helping India secure a four-wicket (DLS) win.

After the match on Saturday at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru, Harleen asked how she recovered so quickly.

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“I just wanted to ask that you know, yesterday — I mean, in the last game — you were in a wheelchair. How difficult was it for you to recover so quickly? And I know all the fans back home, the people who love you, were there. They were a little tense. How was that experience?" Harleen asked.

‘It was quite a big impact’

The 28-year-old Reddy admitted she was scared but expressed gratitude to the medical staff for their care.

"Initially, it was scary for me as well because at that time it was quite a big impact, so I was really scared to even get up. But I would really like to thank the medical staff and the team because they really did a good job and gave me the confidence that I could play. So I would really like to thank them,” Arundhati said.

Harleen had a strong outing against the White Ferns, top-scoring with 74 off 79 balls. After a low score of five against England, she regained her form against New Zealand.

India will begin their campaign against Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lanka on September 30 at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.