ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Martin Guptill Doubftul For India Match

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill might not play in the important match against India on Sunday.

Guptill’s selection remains in doubt after he endured pain last night in the match against Pakistan in Sharjah.

Guptill scored 17 runs from 20 deliveries and suffered a mighty blow on his toe off Haris Rauf’s bowling before he was dismissed by the same bowler in the final over of Powerplay.

Martin Guptill looked in a little bit of discomfort: Gary Stead

While giving the update about the senior player’s condition, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said the opener was left in discomfort after the game.

The player’s condition will be examined in the next two days before the team can confirm his availability against India.

“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,” Stead said in a virtual press conference.

Adam Milne not playing for us was disappointing: Gary Stead

New Zealand eventually lost their opening game against Pakistan by five wickets. Rauf led the bowling charts with 4/22 to hold the Balck Caps for a below-par score of 134/8 in 20 overs.

Despite Pakistan struggling in the chase, Asif Ali and senior batsman Shoaib Malik’s late power-hitting helped them to cross the finish line.

Hours before the game, the Kiwis faced a heavy blow with pace bowler Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a calf tear.

Adam Milne was named his replacement in the main squad but could not play against Pakistan as International Cricket Council (ICC) did not approve his selection at that time.

“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,” Stead said.

New Zealand will play against India on October 31 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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