On the eve of their ODI World Cup 2023 match against New Zealand, India had an eventful nets session as Suryakumar Yadav sustained a blow on his right hand’s wrist while Ishan Kishan was stung by a honeybee in the back of his head while batting under the lights at the HPCA Stadium on Saturday.
Surya picked a blow off throw-down specialist Raghu’s full toss, which forced him to use an icepack on the wrist. He was unable to bat again and eventually received treatment and left the practice session with a protection on his wrist.
On the other hand, left-handed wicket-keeper Kishan also ended his net session early after he was stung by a honeybee.
With injured Hardik Pandya already out of contention for the match on Sunday in Dharamsala, the Indian team management is looking for a suitable replacement. However, the casualties during the net sessions on Saturday have made their job even more tougher.
Before the net sessions, India head coach Rahul Dravid addressed the pre-match press conference and called Surya a vital alternative in the absence of Hardik Pandya,
“I mean, it is nice to have Ishan. And like you said, rightly, he’s been playing well. He’s a left-hander. But again, Surya has also come into some great form against Australia, as we saw. Played a couple of fantastic innings. Absolutely fantastic player against spin, as we know. Left arm spin or off spin, or any kind of spin, for that matter,” said Dravid.
India and New Zealand are the only undefeated teams left in the tournament as both sides have registered four comprehensive victories. Their clash on Sunday looms as one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage as both teams eye top spot in the Cricket World Cup Standings.
