The Kiwis thumped India in the 2nd ODI and took an unassailable lead 2-0 in the 3 match ODI series. The Kiwis are not playing their best XI but still managed to win against the near full strength Indian side comprehensively. In today’s game, there was an interesting event that saw the kiwis’s assistant coach taking the field as a substitute fielder
Trans-Tasman in the action
The Blackcaps’s assistant coach Luke Ronchi had to take the field as an substitute fielder as there were no players available to replace Tim Southee in the field. The Kiwis are badly feeling the heat with most of their mainstream players falling prey to injuries and illness. Their captain Kane Williamson, #2 bowler in the world Trent Boult, raging speedster Lockie Ferguson are all injured and have been ruled out of the series although Kane Williamson is reported to be fit for the 3rd ODI.
The other players in the squad such as Scott Kuggeleijn and Mitchell Santner have fallen sick and was not available to take the field. Tim Southee who finished his spell early in the Indian batting innings went off the field as he too was not feeling well since the eve of the match. Since there were no players available in the dressing room to replace Southee in the field, Luke Ronchi had to don the Blackcaps jersey and fielded in place of Tim Southee.
India’s first series loss since CWC 2019
India have lost their first series since the world cup 2019. India have brushed aside the teams like West Indies(home and away), Bangladesh(home), South Africa(home), Australia(home) across formats. India also created history by whitewashing the Kiwis in their own backyard prior to this ODI series in the shortest format 5-nil.
The only positive is that India have unlocked a long time puzzle in no:4 spot which was haunting them since the departure of Yuvraj Singh. The no:4 spot has been sealed by Shreyas Iyer once for all and India can be stress free for now regarding the no:4 spot.