After suffering a toe injury, Martin Guptill is doubtful for the India clash

After suffering a toe injury during New Zealand’s T20 World Cup encounter against Pakistan, experienced opener Martin Guptill has been declared a doubtful starter for Sunday’s Super 12 match against India. During his team’s five-wicket loss against Pakistan on Tuesday night, Guptill injured his toe after being hit by a Haris Rauf delivery. Guptill, who made 17 runs off 20 balls before being bowled out by Rauf, was not feeling well after the match, according to New Zealand head coach Gary Stead.

“Guptill looked a little bit uncomfortable at the end of the match, and the next 24 to 48 hours will be decisive,” Stead said afterwards.

“We’ll see how he cleans up in the morning. At the end of the game, he appeared to be in some discomfort, and it will take 24 to 48 hours to see how he responds.”

If Guptill is ruled out of the India encounter, it will be a major setback for the Kiwis, who had lost pace spearhead, Lockie Ferguson, to a calf muscle injury before the Pakistan match.

In place of Ferguson, who has been ruled out of the tournament, New Zealand has nominated Adam Milne to the team.

New Zealand was reduced to 134 for 8 after being invited to bat in their first encounter of the tournament, and Pakistan knocked down the short mark in 18.4 overs to claim their second win in as many games.

Pakistan now leads Group 2 points, and Stead believes New Zealand’s next match against India in Dubai on Sunday will be important if the team is to advance to the playoffs.

“I would guess that Pakistan are currently the hot favourites in our group to be the number one seed, and the rest of us are battling it out for the second slot, making the India game very important,” the coach stated.

“It’s sometimes necessary to lose one in order to discover what’s vital to you. We will have put ourselves back on the right track if we can defeat India.”