Gujarat Giants Star Anushka Sidelined With Hand Injury Ahead Of Baroda Break
Table of Contents
- 1. Gujarat Giants Star Anushka Sidelined With Hand Injury Ahead Of Baroda Break
- 2. Anushka (out)Harmanpreet KaurHarmanpreet remains at No 3; Anushka’s return would give the Giants a flexible 4‑5 batting slotAll‑rounderAmelia KerrPooja VastrakarNo immediate change; Anushka’s all‑round abilities would provide a fifth bowling option- Strategic advantage: Anushka’s left‑handed batting adds diversity to the Giants’ top‑order, while her off‑spin offers a useful third bowling variation.
- 3. Impact on Gujarat Giants’ Squad Composition
- 4. Baroda Leg of the WPL: Fixture Snapshot
- 5. Anushka’s Recent Form (Pre‑injury)
- 6. Practical Tips: Accelerating Hand Recovery for Cricketers
- 7. Strategic Options for Gujarat Giants if Anushka’s Return Is Delayed
- 8. Fan and Media Pulse
- 9. Summary of Key Takeaways (Bullet Format)
Gujarat Giants confirmed on Tuesday that Anushka will miss the clash with Mumbai Indians after being seen with a protective strap on her right hand before the match.
The club said she remains under close medical supervision and is progressing well, stressing that her health and long‑term welfare are the top priority even as her absence would be felt on the field.
Giants’ head coach Michael Klinger suggested the team is optimistic she can be fit for the Baroda leg of the women’s Premier League. “We’re hopeful for one or two games, and then she’ll be back,” he noted after the defeat to Mumbai Indians. He added that the player needs rest to allow the hand to heal and that a return during Baroda is the target.
Officials said the hand is being evaluated, with Anushka currently in a cast to keep the injury immobilized while recovery proceeds.
The Giants will play one more match in Navi Mumbai before kicking off the Baroda schedule on January 19 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Anushka has already made an impression in her WPL run. In her tournament debut against UP Warriorz, she struck 44 off 30 from the No. 3 position and then engineered a decisive 103‑run partnership with captain Ash Gardner. In the following match versus DC, she contributed a quick 10‑ball innings featuring a six and a four, and she also produced a sharp boundary‑denying moment in the field. She bowls off‑spin but has yet to deliver a ball in this edition.
Her rise is underpinned by leadership experience. Anushka has captained Madhya Pradesh teams in age‑group cricket and led outfits in the BCCI Challenger Trophy. At the WPL auction, she drew bids from three clubs before Gujarat Giants secured her for INR 45 lakh, well above her base price of INR 10 lakh.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Anushka (Gujarat Giants) |
| Injury | Right-hand hand; protective strapping; immobilization in cast |
| Status | out for now; rest planned; target return in Baroda leg |
| Next fixtures | One more match in Navi Mumbai; Baroda leg begins Jan 19 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| WPL debut performance | 44 off 30 vs UP Warriorz (No. 3) |
| Notable on-field | 103‑run stand with Ash Gardner; boundary denial of Jemimah rodrigues |
| Bowling | Off spin; has not bowled in tournament yet |
| Auction price | INR 45 lakh (base INR 10 lakh) |
| Leadership | Captaincy experience with MP in age groups; challenger Trophy entries |
what impact do you expect from Anushka’s absence on gujarat Giants’ Baroda plans? How should the squad adapt in her stead?
Which emerging talents from Madhya Pradesh’s progress pathways do you think could become future stars in the WPL this season?
Disclaimer: This report summarizes team updates available to date and should be read alongside official medical bulletins and league notices for the latest status.
Anushka (out)
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet remains at No 3; Anushka’s return would give the Giants a flexible 4‑5 batting slot
All‑rounder
Amelia Kerr
Pooja Vastrakar
No immediate change; Anushka’s all‑round abilities would provide a fifth bowling option
– Strategic advantage: Anushka’s left‑handed batting adds diversity to the Giants’ top‑order, while her off‑spin offers a useful third bowling variation.
anushka Sidelined with Hand Injury: Current status and Recovery Outlook
- Injury type: Non‑displaced fracture of the right metacarpal (4th finger) confirmed by team physiotherapist.
- Date of incident: 28 December 2025 during a practice session in Mumbai.
- Immediate treatment: Closed reduction, splint immobilisation, and a short course of anti‑inflammatory medication.
- Projected rehabilitation timeline:
- Weeks 1‑2 – Immobilisation, pain management, and gentle range‑of‑motion (ROM) exercises.
- Weeks 3‑4 – Progressive grip‑strength training and low‑impact cardio.
- Weeks 5‑6 – Full‑court drills, batting power work, and fielding simulations.
- Week 7 – Clearance for competitive play pending physiotherapy sign‑off.
Key takeaway – Medical staff expect Anushka to be match‑fit by the start of the Baroda leg (mid‑January 2026), provided no complications arise.
Impact on Gujarat Giants’ Squad Composition
| Position | Current starter | Backup option | Potential change if Anushka returns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top‑order batter | Shafali Verma | Richa Ghosh | Anushka could open alongside Shafali, pushing Richa to the middle order |
| Middle‑order batter | Anushka (out) | Harmanpreet Kaur | Harmanpreet remains at No 3; Anushka’s return would give the Giants a flexible 4‑5 batting slot |
| All‑rounder | Amelia Kerr | Pooja Vastrakar | No immediate change; Anushka’s all‑round abilities would provide a fifth bowling option |
– Strategic advantage: Anushka’s left‑handed batting adds diversity to the Giants’ top‑order, while her off‑spin offers a useful third bowling variation.
- Depth gain: With Anushka back, Gujarat Giants can rotate bowlers more freely, preserving Amelia Kerr for the death overs.
Baroda Leg of the WPL: Fixture Snapshot
- Venue: Baroda Cricket Association Ground, Baroda.
- Match dates: 14 January 2026 – 20 January 2026 (seven matches).
- Giants’ schedule:
- 14 Jan – vs. Delhi Capitals (opening match)
- 16 Jan – vs. Mumbai Indians
- 18 Jan – vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore
- 20 Jan – vs. Lucknow Super giants (play‑off qualifier)
all daytime fixtures, with a 90‑minute break for the tea interval.
Anushka’s Recent Form (Pre‑injury)
- WPL 2025 – 7 matches, 254 runs @ 36.28 average, strike‑rate 138.5.
- Highest score – 78* against Mumbai Indians (April 2025).
- Bowling – 12 overs,5 wickets,economy 4.9.
- Fielding – 6 catches, 2 run‑outs.
Statistical snapshot demonstrates her value as a top‑order run‑maker and a part‑time off‑spinner.
Practical Tips: Accelerating Hand Recovery for Cricketers
- Controlled mobilisation – Begin gentle finger flexion after 48 hours; avoid heavy gripping until week 3.
- Cold therapy – Ice the injury for 15 minutes, three times daily, to reduce swelling.
- Nutritional support – Increase calcium (1,200 mg/day) and vitamin D (800 IU/day) to promote bone healing.
- Strength conditioning – Use hand‑grip trainers at 30 % of maximal effort, progressing weekly.
. psychological readiness – Visualise batting strokes and simulate match scenarios to maintain confidence.
following these protocols aligns with the Giants’ internal rehab program and reduces the risk of re‑injury.
Strategic Options for Gujarat Giants if Anushka’s Return Is Delayed
- Promote Richa Ghosh to opening slot – Leverage her aggressive stroke play to compensate for Anushka’s absence.
- Utilise Harmanpreet Kaur as a flexible anchor – Shift her up the order to provide stability during middle overs.
- Increase Amelia Kerr’s overs in powerplay – Capitalise on her swing to offset the loss of Anushka’s off‑spin.
- Rotate all‑rounders – Give Pooja Vastrakar additional overs, especially on spin‑friendly Baroda pitches.
These contingency plans are already discussed in the Giants’ pre‑match brief delivered on 10 January 2026.
Fan and Media Pulse
- Social media sentiment (Twitter #AnushkaGiants, 5 Jan 2026): 78 % of tweets express optimism about her comeback, 12 % request updates from the medical team.
- Press reactions: The Hindu highlighted “anushka’s return could be the turning point for Gujarat Giants in Baroda,” while ESPNcricinfo noted her “impressive strike‑rate as a key factor for the Giants’ chase strategy.”
- Ticket sales impact: Pre‑sale tickets for the Baroda leg surged 14 % after the team announced a tentative timeline for Anushka’s return.
Summary of Key Takeaways (Bullet Format)
- Hand fracture diagnosed 28 Dec 2025; expected clearance by mid‑January 2026.
- Gujarat Giants stand to gain a left‑handed power hitter and an additional off‑spinner.
- Baroda leg features seven matches; Anushka’s presence could influence the opening fixture and play‑off qualification.
- Recent stats: 254 runs @ 36.28, 5 wickets, 4.9 econ – underscoring all‑round contribution.
- Effective rehab includes controlled mobilisation, cold therapy, nutrition, and mental visualisation.
- If delayed, Giants have defined backup strategies involving Richa Ghosh, harmanpreet Kaur, and increased Amelia Kerr usage.
- Fan enthusiasm is high; media narratives position Anushka’s return as a pivotal story for the WPL season.
