India vs New Zealand: First T20I called off due to rain

India vs New Zealand: First T20I called off due to rain

India are slated to play two more T20Is, followed by three ODIs as part of their tour of New Zealand.

 

The first T20 International of the three-match series between India and New Zealand was called off without a ball being bowled as incessant rain made the ground unplayable here on Friday.
 

The rain did stop for a bit but barring a short period of dry spell, it continued to pour throughout at the Sky Stadium. The match was ultimately called off at 8.52pm local time, about an hour less than the cut-off time of 9:46pm for a five-over a side shootout.

India are slated to play two more T20Is, followed by three ODIs as part of their tour of New Zealand. Both the teams had come in following their exit from the semifinal stage of the T20 World Cup in Australia. While India lost to eventual champions England, New Zealand were defeated by Pakistan.
 

In the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya is leading the Indian T20 side with wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy.
 

“Boys were quite excited to play. NZ is a great country, great place to play. Unfortunate to not get a game. A lot of people came quite early as well, we were excited but this is something we as professional cricketers need to accept,” Pandya said.
 

Besides Rohit, star batter Virat Kohli and opener KL Rahul have also been rested for the tour. The likes of Shubman Gill, Umran Malik, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson have been given a chance as senior players have been rested. The entire coaching staff, including head coach Rahul Dravid, has also been given a break after the T20 World Cup.
 

NCA head VVS Laxman has been appointed as the Indian coach for the tour. The next T20 will be played in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
 

Cricket Betting

Top Wicket Takers at Past World Cups

Setting is everything when you are totally finishing your cricket forecasts - that is the reason we have assembled the past top wicket takers from past Twenty20 World Cups.
 

These are the quantity of wickets past competition top bowlers have taken to absorb individual magnificence toward the finish of the opposition.
 

They are as follows:

- 2007 - Umar Gul (13 wickets)

- 2009 - Umar Gul (13 wickets)

- 2010 - Dirk Nannes (14 wickets)

- 2012 - Ajantha Mendis (15 wickets)

- 2014 - Imran Tahir and Ahsan Malik (12 wickets) 

- 2016 - Mohammad Nabi (12 wickets) 

- 2021 - Wanindu Hasaranga (16 wickets)

 

After the initial three releases of the Twenty20 World Cup were overwhelmed by pace bowlers, ongoing competitions have been rabbits having a place with turn wizards - every one of the last four top wicket-takers in this opposition has a place with the sluggish bowling society.

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ICC Cricket Ranking