T20 World Cup 2021: Martin Guptill Given The Green Light To Play Against India

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has been cleared by the medical team to play for the team in their crucial Group 2 clash against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

Guptill’s participation in the game was under the clouds, courtesy of a crushing yorker from Haris Rauf that hit him flush on the toe. He was dismissed the next delivery, but the extent of the injury was revealed later when Guptill couldn’t take the field during Pakistan’s run chase.

Fortunately for the Kiwis, Guptill has been deemed fit for tonight’s clash against Virat Kohli and co. The Black Caps’ head coach, Gary Stead, confirmed the news, stating that the experienced opener didn’t show any signs of discomfort in the training sessions.

Gary Stead’s update on Martin Guptill:

“It (toe) went a different shade of colour for a period of time. But he trained on Friday and he’s trained again on Saturday night, so it’s great to see that he’s available and fit for selection,” Stead said in an interview with New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

As for Lockie Ferguson‘s replacement, Adam Milne, Stead hinted that he will be included in the Kiwis’ playing XI against India. Ferguson sustained an unfortunate calf muscle tear which ruled him out of the entire tournament.

Stead also expressed disappointment following their loss to Pakistan in the tournament opener, stating that the ICC’s Technical Committee took too much time in approving Milne as the replacement for Ferguson. As a result, he couldn’t be fielded in the playing XI.

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