India vs New Zealand: Lockie Ferguson expected to be fit for T20I series

With 72 hours after playing the T20 World Cup final against Australia, New Zealand will take the field against India in Jaipur in first of the three-match T20I series. The visitors will be missing their regular skipper Kane Williamson who will be focusing on the Test series starting from November 25 and Tim Southee is set to lead the side.

However, ahead of series opener, the Kiwis are boosted with the fitness update on their pacer Lockie Ferguson who missed the T20 World Cup due to the strain in his right calf. Ferguson is recovering well from his injury and is expected to get fit to take the field on November 17 (Wednesday).

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed the development on its official website stating, “Lockie Ferguson’s recovery from a right calf-strain continues to progress well and he is expected to be available for the T20 series.” However, there is still no certainty if he will play the first T20I but may contribute at any stage during the series.

Ferguson’s addition will certainly boost the pace attack of the side which is coming off after doing well in the recently concluded ICC event.

NZ head coach admits hectic schedule has been challenging

Meanwhile, ahead of the T20I series against India, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead admitted that his team faces a tough and challenging schedule ahead. Some of the Kiwi players have been in the bio-bubble since the IPL 2021 second leg while a few Test specialists reached India beforehand to prepare for the series.

“It’s the first time that I can remember that we’re so quickly into another series immediately at the back-end of the T20 World Cup,” Stead said. “It’s definitely tough and challenging but it is what is in front of us. We’ve got nine-ten guys in India already, who are preparing for those Test matches, and hopefully we can get up and have a really great performance against India,” Stead said in a press conference on Monday (November 16).