'Spirit of Cricket at its best' - Rohit Sharma lauds New Zealand U19 players for their gesture

India opener Rohit Sharma has lauded New Zealand U19 players for their incredible gesture towards West Indies batsman Kirk McKenzie in the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup. During the quarterfinal clash between the two teams on Wednesday, the Kiwi colts carried McKenzie off the field when he was struggling to walk due to cramps.

The young batsman was on 99 when he was struck with a severe cramp and he had to be stretchered off. The unfortunate incident took place in 43rd over of the innings. Not many thought that McKenzie would bat again when he was stretchered off. However, when West Indies lost the next wicket which was their ninth, McKenzie decided to walk out to bat.

But the cramp made it tough for him to bat as he was castled by New Zealand pacer Kristian Clarke on the very first ball he faced. He found it tough to defend the ball without moving his foot and missed a well-deserved century by just one run. Things then became worse when the cramps returned and he found it tough to walk.

This is when the New Zealand players decided to come to his rescue. Two of their players carried him off the ground while players from the sides gave him a standing ovation. The entire cricket fraternity is lauding the New Zealand players for their sportsmanship and Rohit Sharma also made sure to do his bit. The batting star took to Twitter to praise the gesture, writing: “So good to see this #SpiritOfCricket at its best.”

Rohit in stunning form

Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, recently helped India win the third T20I against New Zealand and seal the five-match series. He starred with the bat in the thrilling game as India won their first-ever T20I series in New Zealand. The right-handed batsman scored a fifty before starring in the super over. His fifty helped India post 179 for 5 before New Zealand finished on the same score.

In the super over, India had managed to score just 8 off the first four balls while chasing 18. And just when it looked the game would drift away from them, Rohit Sharma hit the next two balls for two huge sixes to power the team to a memorable win. Rohit will be looking to make the most of the form in the remaining two T20Is and the subsequent ODI and Test series.