New Zealand Players Wear Black Armbands in Raipur T20I Against India
In a remarkable display of solidarity, the New Zealand cricket team donned black armbands during the second T20 International against India. This gesture was made in honor of the victims of severe storms and landslides that recently affected the upper North Island of New Zealand.
Black Armbands in Memory of Storm Victims
The black armbands were worn to pay tribute to those who tragically lost their lives in the disaster that struck on January 22. Heavy rainfall caused devastating flooding and a landslide at a campsite in Mount Maunganui, resulting in the loss of two lives.
Match Overview
The match took place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, where India won the toss and elected to field. New Zealand entered the match trailing 0-1 in the series and aimed to equalize.
New Zealand Batting Performance
- Openers: Devon Conway and Tim Seifert
- Conway’s quick start: Four boundaries in the opening over
- Seifert’s contribution: 24 runs off 13 balls
Both openers fell early in the innings. Conway was dismissed in the fourth over after misjudging a slower delivery from Harshit Rana. Seifert soon followed, leaving New Zealand in a precarious position.
Key Contributions
In this challenging situation, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and left-handed batter Rachin Ravindra provided crucial runs. Their efforts helped the team post a competitive score of 208/6.
Team Changes
India made two changes to their lineup for this match:
- Harshit Rana: Included in the squad
- Kuldeep Yadav: Brought in as well
Jasprit Bumrah was rested, and Axar Patel missed the match due to an injury sustained in the previous game. New Zealand also made adjustments, including Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, and Tim Seifert in their playing XI.
This match served not only as a contest between two cricketing nations but also as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by communities back home in New Zealand. The players’ tribute underscored the significance of unity and compassion in times of adversity.
