CAPE TOWN, Feb 15, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - India's star opening batter Smriti
Mandhana has recovered from a finger injury and is set to return for their
T20 World Cup match against the West Indies, the Indian coaching staff said
on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old left-hander, who topped the bidding in the WPL auction on
Monday when Royal Chargers Bangalore signed her for 34 million Indian rupees
($415,000), missed India's opening group match win over Pakistan because of
the injured finger.

India's bowling coach Troy Cooley, however, said she had come through
Tuesday's training session unscathed and would likely be taking her place in
the team at Newlands.

"She has been working very hard and she will be assessed after training,"
said Cooley.

"She did everything that needed to be done and we are pretty confident she
got through the session OK."

The Australian was also unconcerned by the form of bowler Deepti Sharma whose
four overs against Pakistan on Sunday went for 39 runs.

"She bowled three overs in the powerplay and one at the death with three
fielders out," Cooley said.

"We know those are high pressure situations but who better to give the ball
to than someone like Deepti? She is an exceptional player.

"The girls are very good at reviewing their own performances and they are
very open to input.

"Deepti is one of our key players and she will go for a few runs some days.
That's the nature of T20. But she bowled in the high pressure situations and
we believe she did a good job."

Sharma has a good recent record against the West Indies, taking two for 29
and three for 11 in January's two tri-series meetings between the sides.

"We know where we went wrong [in the tri-series]," said wicketkeeper Rashada
Williams. "We know where we fell short, so it's just for us to go there and
turn up on the day.

"India will be coming hard and they are more aggressive in their latter part
of their innings, so it's just for us to control the game for as long as
possible, especially in the last five because we know they're going to come
hard.

"We have to try and restrict them by bowling in the right areas."

West Indies lost their opener against England, making Wednesday's match-up
all the more important as the structure of the tournament means only the top
two in each group progress to the knockout stages.

"After losing our first game, it's important that we come out and perform to
our best of our abilities against India," said Williams.

"We need everyone to be on their A game."