The first of three T20Is between India and New Zealand saw rain getting the better of both teams as the game gets abandoned due to incessant showers. While the stubborn rain did not show any signs of relenting, players from both teams still managed to square off with each other. In a game of footvolley, the players from both teams did not let the rain put a damper on their spirits as they shared a jolly match in footvolley and cricket took a backseat.
In a video posted by the official Twitter handle of BCCI, we see what took place between the two teams behind the scenes.
"Team India and New Zealand team enjoy a game of footvolley as we wait for the rain to let up,” the BCCI tweeted. In the video, Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson can be seen teaming up with New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi.
Here's the video..
As the first T20I turns out to be a damp squib, the Men In Blue and Blackcaps will look to make amends for their respective defeats in the semi-finals of the just concluded T20 World Cup in Australia. NZ were humbled by Pakistan in a six-wicket defeat while India got hammered by England in a 10-wicket defeat.
Hardik Pandya has taken up the mantle of captaincy in the absence of hotshots of the Indian team. The Gujarat Titans skipper will lead an Indian team that will also be without the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul who have been given a respite after a strenuous and disappointing T20 World Cup. India will continue to miss the services of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja as the two have yet to fully recover from their injuries.
Meanwhile, New Zealand will play the series without their ace bowler Trent Boult after a falling out in contract took place as the fast bowler wants to spend more time with his family. Whereas Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson who did not have a memorable T20 World Cup and had his struggles visible in the IPL 2022, has been let go by his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the mini-auction, which will be held in Kochi on December 23
New Zealand's squad: Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner.
India's squad: Hardik Pandya (c), Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.
