T20 World Cup -Martin Guptill doubtful for IND vs NZ: Martin Guptill doubtful for India clash – New Zealand have been dealt yet another blow as they could potentially face India without star opener Martin Guptill. Martin Guptill featured in Kiwis’ loss to Pakistan but suffered a blow to his toe from a Haris Rauf delivery. The 35-year-old struggled and soon departed after the injury for 17 as Pakistan clinched a five-wicket win.
T20 World Cup: New Zealand’s injury problems worsen, Martin Guptill doubtful for India clash with toe injury
In a huge blow to New Zealand’s T20 World Cup semi-final chances, Martin Guptill could be ruled out of their crunch tie against India with a toe injury. Opener Martin Guptill, New Zealand’s most experienced short-format international, took a blow to the big toe from a Haris Rauf delivery just before he was dismissed for 17 during the five-wicket loss in Sharjah on Tuesday.
T20 World Cup -Martin Guptill doubtful for IND vs NZ: Speaking to the reporters in the UAE after the game, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said, “We’ll see how he scrubs up overnight. He looked in a little bit of discomfort at the end of the game and it might take 24 to 48 hours to see how he goes.”
Also read: T20 World Cup: New Zealand paceman Lockie Ferguson out of T20 World Cup with calf tear
The injury comes as a second blow to the Blackcaps after speedster Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a calf muscle tear on Tuesday. Stead said he had been disappointed that the International Cricket Council’s Technical Committee had not approved Adam Milne as Ferguson’s replacement in time to play the Pakistan match.
Stead added, “We tried pretty hard today to get across the line with the ICC our replacement player, but it wasn’t to be. That was really disappointing for us because Adam Milne is someone who’s waiting in the wings as a like-for-like replacement. We’ll seek clarification on that decision of theirs.”
T20 World Cup -Martin Guptill doubtful for IND vs NZ: The game against India is a virtual quarter-final for both India and New Zealand, having lost to Pakistan in their opening games. Pakistan have won two of their difficult games, making them the favourites to qualify from the group. Stead was happy with how his team had fought against Pakistan, who beat India in their opener, but conceded that the other teams in Group 2 were now battling for second place and the semi-final spot that goes with it.
He said, “You would imagine that Pakistan are now the hot favourites in our group to be the number one seed and the rest of us are fighting it out for the next spot, which makes the India game pretty critical. You sometimes have to lose one to find out the important things for you. If we can go and beat India then we certainly put ourselves back on the right track.”
