Injury Woes Strike India In Nagpur, Axar Patel Leaves Field In Pain After Sustaining Serious Finger Injury Against New Zealand

India vs New Zealand: During the ongoing first T20I match of the series between India and New Zealand, star Indian all-rounder Axar Patel sustained a serious finger injury at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday, January 22.

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Axar Patel Sustains Serious Finger Injury During IND vs NZ 1st T20I

In the second innings during the third delivery of the 16th over, Daryl Mitchell slammed a four towards long-off. Axar Patel overstretched his left hand to save the ball, but it hit the end of his left hand and flew away. Following this, the physio came into the field to check the India vice-captain. 

The 32-year-old failed to continue on the field and had to walk off after his fingers on his left hand were bleeding. Abhishek Sharma came back into the attack and completed the remaining over of Axar Patel.

In the first innings, the all-rounder played a five-run knock from five balls at a strike rate of 100.00. While restricting the given target, the 32-year-old picked up one wicket in his 3.3-over spell, giving 42 runs at an economy rate of 12.00.

The injury to Patel will be a serious concern inside the Indian dressing room as only a few days are left before the start of the T20 World Cup 2026. The ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand will help Team India to prepare for the forthcoming ICC event.

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India Clinch Win Over New Zealand In 1st T20I

India started off the five-match T20I series against New Zealand with a commanding 48-run win at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, on Wednesday, January 21.

With the win, the Men in Blue took a 1-0 lead over the Kiwis in the five-match series.

Before the start of the game, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl against India, but that did not help the Kiwis.

Abhishek Sharma (84 runs from 35 balls, 5 fours and 8 sixes) and Rinku Singh (44* runs from 20 balls, 4 fours and 3 sixes) helped India power to 238/7.

Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson led the Kiwi bowling attack with two-wicket hauls in their respective spells.

During the run chase, Glenn Phillips (78 runs from 40 balls, 4 fours and 6 sixes) and Mark Chapman (39 runs from 24 balls, 4 fours and 2 sixes) tried their best to reach the target, but it was not enough.

Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube's two-wicket hauls restricted New Zealand to 190/7, helping India clinch a 48-run win over the Kiwis in Nagpur.