Debasis Sen, Dubai: With both India and New Zealand losing their first matches against Pakistan, the upcoming Group 2 match between both countries will be extremely important in the context of the qualification for the last four stages. BlackCaps suffered a blow as all rounder Lockie Fergusson has been ruled out due to a torn in calf muscle. He was replaced by Adam Milne.
Opener Martin Guptill too looks doubtful for the match against India as he injured his toe. Guptill hurt his toe after being hit by a Haris Rauf delivery during his side’s five-wicket loss to Pakistan here on Tuesday night. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said Guptill, who scored 17 runs from 20 balls before being cleaned up by Rauf, was not feeling comfortable after the match.
Black Caps coach Gary Stead wanted Adam Milne in his team for their Twenty20 World Cup opener against Pakistan and couldn’t have him. The Mumbai Indians fast bowler has a good chance of making into the playing XI in the game against India on Sunday.
The Black Caps were set to bat deep against Pakistan, with Santner at No 8, and Jimmy Neesham as one of their frontline bowlers, prior to Ferguson’s injury. They could do so again, with Milne replacing one of Tim Southee or Trent Boult, who both started strongly with the new ball, but were hit around towards the end, when the lack of a speedster like Ferguson or Milne proved costly.
BlackCaps Head Coach Gary Stead have shown a willingness to stick with the Santner-Sodhi spin duo that had been one of the few constants in their T20 side over the past few years, if the conditions call for it. Sodhi, remember took 3-18 against India in the last edition of T20 World Cup in Nagpur, helping his side win. He took 2-28 from his four overs against Pakistan, combining with left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner to turn the screws on their middle order – a period of pressure that later eased when Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali finished strongly to help their side claim an important win.
But it feels more likely that a batsman will make way in the game against India. Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert are the two that appear to be on the bubble.