T20 World Cup Chaos as Two Teams Suffer Injury Setbacks

A week after the T20 World Cup had started, two teams are now facing serious injury issues. Their key players have been ruled out of the tournament without even playing all of their group stage games. New Zealand and Sri Lanka come as the teams affected, as they remain eager to qualify for Super Eights. 

Bracewell’s Short Run

Bracewell had been injured once again in his left calf, which has caused him to be ruled out of action. It is being reported that he won't be fit to play for approximately 3 weeks. And this is also the time by which the tournament will come to an end. New Zealand's cricket board released a statement on the same. 

The New Zealand Cricket said that Bracewell rehabilitated the calf tear but re-injured the muscle during warm-ups on Sunday. Their statement continued by saying, “Subsequent scans confirmed the injury, which is expected to require approximately three weeks of recovery before returning to play.”

Since this is an ICC event, New Zealand spent no time in bringing a replacement for their injured player. The all-rounder, Cole McConchie has been announced as a replacement for Michael Bracewell in the tournament. He has now joined the New Zealand side in India, ready to play if he is given a chance. 

Cole McConchie in T20Is:

It is a like for like replacement by the team, as McConchie can also bat well for them. However, his T20I career has been short, as he has played just 12 T20I games for the team. His last match came in the New Zealand tour of Pakistan 2024, where he scored just a run of two balls but didn't bowl a single over. 

Sri Lanka’s Key Spinner Misses Out

Hasaranga played for Sri Lanka in their opening clash against Ireland. He bowled an impressive spell, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs which eventually helped the co-hosts to grab the win. After the game, he had gone through an MRI scan to know about his injury. 

It was revealed that Hasaranga is having a left hamstring injury, which took place during the game. This injury is also related to the injury he previously suffered in his hamstring. While Hasaranga has been facing injury issues consistently, this one might cause trouble to Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka has also found a replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga, who has also joined the team. And it is Dushan Hemantha. This is also a like for like replacement by the Sri Lankan team, as Hemantha brings the same level of skillset as Wanindu Hasaranga. 

Dushan Hemantha in T20Is:

But the only challenge which the team will face is the experience. In his international career, Hemantha has played just 3 T20I games for the Sri Lankan team. While he is having experience in the T20 format, his international career had him play just three games against Zimbabwe.