Giants allrounder Anushka Sharma out for 'short period' with minor injury
She sustained the injury while fielding during the match against Delhi Capitals
ESPNcricinfo staff
13-Jan-2026 • 5 hrs ago
Anushka Sharma scored 44 off 30 on her WPL debut • AFP/Getty Images
Gujarat Giants allrounder Anushka Sharma will be out of action for a "short period" after sustaining a minor injury while fielding during the WPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals. GG said in a statement they hope to have her "back soon".
Anushka missed the match against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday and was seen wearing a strapping on her right hand ahead of the game.
"Anushka is under the close supervision of the team's medical staff and is progressing well," a Giants statement said. "She will be a big miss for the side, but her health and long-term well-being remain our priority."
GG head coach Michael Klinger said after their defeat to Mumbai Indians that the team is hopeful Anushka will be fit again for the start of the Baroda leg of the WPL.
"Yeah, we're unsure, we're hoping only a game or two, and then she'll be back," Klinger said at the post-match press conference. "But she just needs a period of rest for her hand, and then we're confident that she'll be back during the Baroda leg.
"It's being assessed, yeah, so [Anushka's hand] is in a sort of a cast now, just to keep it still. For the moment, we're just trying to give her the best chance to sort of heal for a week or so, and then hopefully be right for Baroda."
GG have one more match in Navi Mumbai and play their first game in Baroda against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on January 19.
Anushka, who made an impression on her WPL debut with 44 off 30 balls from No. 3 against UP Warriorz on Saturday, displayed a range of shots during her match-winning 103-run stand with captain Ash Gardner. In the next match against DC, she hit a six and a four in her 10-ball stay, and also stood out in the field with a superb leaping effort at the boundary to deny Jemimah Rodrigues a six. She also bowls offspin but is yet to bowl in the tournament.
She has captained Madhya Pradesh (MP) in age-group cricket and led teams in BCCI's Challenger Trophy, showcasing glimpses of her big-hitting potential during the Madhya Pradesh Women's League. During the WPL auction, she attracted bids from three teams before GG secured her for INR 45 lakh compared to her base price of INR 10 lakh.