It took a moment of absolute brilliance from Sarfaraz to dismiss Will Young who was batting nicely on 26 during the second Test of the three-match Test series in Pune. Yong had got a faint glove on the way while guiding the ball down the leg side off the bowling of Ashwin who came in to bowl from over the wicket. There was a hesitant appeal from team India at first which was swiftly dismissed by the umpire Richard Illingworth. But Sarfaraz, who was standing at leg slip was confident that he had heard something and pleaded with the Indian skipper to go for the review. 

Rohit at first was not confident about going upstairs but after intense pleading from Sarfaraz and several other close-in fielders, the Indian skipper signaled for the DRS referral. 

Watch the dismissal unfold here:

in #2nd_Test
Keeper Bowler Captain kisi ko nahi Suna
Sarfaraz khan Bola Please Mujh Par Bharosa Karo.#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/wkyTUNmMqp

— A. Wahid (@A__Wahid) October 24, 2024

After winning the toss, the Kiwi skipper made the decision to bat first. The visitors made a steady start and were cruising along nicely at 76-1. The wicket fell during the last ball of the 24th over of the New Zealand innings. Ashwin was the bowler who floated a traditional off-break delivery outside the line of leg stump. Young tried to nude it fine down the leg side and Pant took a good take behind the stumps.

At first impression, it appeared that Young had not got anything on it. But the DRS review revealed that the ball was passing very close to his glove. Ultraedge was needed to ascertain whether there was any willow involved. Subsequently enough, the ultra-edge technology returned positive visuals for team India and its fans as the big screen showed a whisker of a spike when the ball passed close to his gloves.  

The on-field decision was overturned which helped India earn a vital second wicket to break the momentum of the visitors. At the time of writing, New Zealand concluded the first session by posting 92 for the loss of 2 wickets at Lunch with Ravindra and Conway still unbeaten. 

The anticipation is building as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, scheduled in the USA and West Indies. New Zealand has become the first of the 20 teams to announce their squad, led by the seasoned Kane Williamson. Despite their consistent performances in international cricket, the Black Caps are still searching for their first T20 World Cup title.

New Zealand’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad is a blend of experience and youth, equipped with a strong bowling attack and seasoned campaigners. While they have some weaknesses, such as the lack of individual match-winners and limited wicketkeeping options, the opportunities and strengths they possess make them formidable contenders.

New Zealand’s T20 World Cup Journey

New Zealand has always been a strong contender in the T20 World Cup, yet surprisingly, they have only reached the final once, in 2021, where they lost to Australia. The team has shown resilience and determination, which will be crucial as they aim to capture their first title in the game’s shortest international format.

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SWOT analysis of New Zealand squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Strengths

One of New Zealand’s significant strengths lies in its experienced players. Kane Williamson will be making his sixth appearance in the T20 World Cup, having already led the Kiwis to their maiden World Test Championship (WTC) title in 2021.

Tim Southee is set for his seventh appearance, and Trent Boult, making his fifth, brings a wealth of experience and expertise. Additionally, the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, with over 100 T20 matches, adds to the team’s robust lineup.

New Zealand boasts a formidable bowling attack. Tim Southee will spearhead the pace department, which includes Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson. Southee’s knack for picking up crucial wickets and Boult’s ability to trouble batters in the powerplay make them a lethal combination.

The spin unit, featuring Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, is also a key strength. Santner’s economical spells and the slow wickets in the Caribbean will likely favor him. Glenn Phillips adds depth to the bowling lineup, offering additional options.

Weaknesses

While New Zealand excels as a cohesive unit, they lack individual match-winners who can single-handedly change the game’s outcome. The spinner should be economical, and control of the middle overs will be crucial, especially on the slow Caribbean pitches. In a format like T20, having a player capable of turning the tide in their favor is invaluable. This absence could be a critical weakness, especially in high-pressure situations.

Opportunities

The upcoming T20 World Cup presents a golden opportunity for New Zealand to break their knockout stage jinx. Entering every tournament as favorites, the Kiwis often need to catch up in the knockout rounds.

With veterans like Kane Williamson and Tim Southee potentially making their last T20 World Cup appearance, this could be their chance to secure a historic win and add another major title to their achievements.

The batting lineup includes some prolific names. Kane Williamson will lead from the front, supported by Devon Conway, who has been in exceptional form. Including players like Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman adds depth, with both capable of explosive batting in the middle order. All-rounders like Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell balance the side, offering both batting and bowling options.

Threats

A notable threat for New Zealand is the need for multiple wicketkeeping options. The squad has omitted Tim Seifert, leaving Devon Conway as the primary wicketkeeper. Conway, who recently recovered from a finger injury that sidelined him from IPL 2024, must shoulder the responsibility behind the stumps. Glenn Phillips is a secondary option, but he is not a regular wicketkeeper, which could pose a risk if Conway faces any fitness issues.

New Zealand’s batting strategy will revolve around building solid partnerships at the top while maintaining a steady run rate. With power hitters in the middle order, they aim to accelerate in the latter stages of the innings.

New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears

Colin Munro, a stalwart of New Zealand cricket, recently announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a remarkable career over a decade. Munro’s announcement comes after he missed out on selection for New Zealand’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad despite his availability and illustrious record in the shortest format of the game.

Munro’s Career in International Cricket

Throughout his career, Munro has been a pivotal figure in the New Zealand cricketing landscape. With appearances in all three game formats, Munro showcased his versatility and prowess as a dynamic batsman. From Tests to T20Is, he left an indelible mark on the sport.

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Despite his desire to represent his country again on the international stage, Munro’s hopes were dashed with his omission from the T20 World Cup squad. New Zealand coach Gray Stead confirmed that Munro was under consideration but did not make the final cut.

Munro’s Reflections on His Career

In a statement following his retirement announcement, Munro expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent New Zealand. He reflected on the honour of donning the Black Caps jersey and his pride in playing for his country on 123 occasions across all formats. He played one Test, 57 ODIs and 65 T20Is for the New Zealand.

“Playing for the Black Caps has always been the biggest achievement in my playing career,” Munro said. “I never felt prouder than donning that jersey, and the fact that I’ve been able to do that 123 times across all formats is something I will always be incredibly proud of.

“Although it has been a while since my last appearance, I never gave up hope that I might be able to return off the back of my franchise T20 form. With the announcement of the Black Caps squad for the T20 World Cup now is the perfect time to close that chapter officially.”

Highlights of Munro’s International Career

Munro’s international career is studded with remarkable achievements and memorable performances. His explosive batting style made him a fan favourite, with notable innings including a blistering 47-ball century against West Indies and a record-breaking 14-ball half-century against Sri Lanka in T20Is.

Tributes and Recognition

New Zealand Cricket hailed Munro as a pioneer of modern batting, crediting him with revolutionizing the aggressive, 360-degree style of play embraced worldwide. CEO Scott Weenink praised Munro’s innovative approach to the game and thanked him for his significant contributions to New Zealand cricket.

“Colin was one of our first players to embrace the aggressive, 360-degree style batting that is now accepted all around the world as best practice,” Weenink said.

“He was one of the pioneers of the new game, an innovative batsman who took calculated risk-taking to a new level, and led what was to become a revolution in the way short-form cricket was played. We thank him for his amazing contribution in more than hundred international games, and wish him well in his future pursuits.”

Munro’s legacy extends beyond his performances. He played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of batting techniques, particularly in the game’s shorter formats. His fearless approach to batting inspired a generation of cricketers and contributed to the transformation of T20 cricket.