'Was in IPL for two months... even though I wasn't playing': Sherfane Rutherford's stunning revelation on T20 World Cup 2024 preparations after heroics against New Zealand

West Indies defeated New Zealand by 13 runs to become the fourth team to qualify for the Super 8 stage in the T20 World Cup 2024. Sherfane Rutherford smashed a match-winning fifty.

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Sherfane Rutherford in frame (Getty)

Sherfane Rutherford in frame (Getty)

Highlights:

West Indies defeated New Zealand by 13 runs.

WI qualify for T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage.

Sherfane Rutherford won POTM for his fifty vs NZ.

Sherfane Rutherford's heroic half-century against New Zealand helped West Indies pick up a big win in match 26 of the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, on June 13 (Thursday). The former two-time champions even sealed their spot in the Super 8 stage with this stunning win. After the match, Rutherford revealed preparing for the mega tournament in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League despite not even getting a single match to play.

 

Sherfane Rutherford's heroic knock

 

West Indies was thrown down to 112/9 by the end of the 18th over and even reaching the 120-run mark appeared to be a little far-fetched but Sherfane Rutherford single-handedly changed the scenario completely. He hit three big sixes in the 19th over and smashed 19 runs in the 19th over. After this, he concluded the Windies' innings by hitting 18 runs in the 20th over and hit two fours and one six in this one. This completely changed the flow of the match. Rutherford completed his fifty in 33 balls and returned to the dugout after scoring an unbeaten 68 off just 39 balls.

 

ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2024: Yuvraj Singh returns to Indian dressing room to give special award to Mohammed Siraj after IND vs USA clash

ALSO READ: EXPLAINED: How India's victory over USA comes as a blessing in disguise for Pakistan's Super 8 chance in T20 World Cup?

 

Rutherford reveals preparing for T20 World Cup in IPL

 

Sherfane Rutherford was part of the IPL 2024 winning side Kolkata Knight Riders but did not get to play a single game in that season. He even addressed that and said he did not get the chance to play a match but was always preparing for the mega tournament.

 

“Want to thank God for the opportunity. I was in IPL for two months. I was preparing even though I wasn't playing. I was preparing for this. To take it deep was the plan. Me and (Daren) Sammy had a talk. We spoke of taking it deep and just keep rotating the strike as I can make up for it later on. (On his strategy for the last two overs where he scored 37 runs) Looking at their bowling lineup I knew they were short of two overs and I was telling myself to take it deep. Wanted to maximise on those overs. That was the plan and I think it did that well. Hopefully the start of something to come. I will have chicken curry for tonight,” said Sherfane Rutherford in the post-match presentation.

 

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