NZ vs AUS 2024: Rachin Ravindra ruled out of second T20I with knee pain

Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the second T20I against Australia after some pain in his left knee. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed the development and stated that his progress will be monitored. 

Meanwhile, it is not clear if he will be available for the third T20I and the following two-match Test series. In his absence, Will Young has been recalled to the playing XI as New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first in Auckland.

“Rachin Ravindra will miss tonight’s 2nd KFC T20I at Eden Park after experiencing pain in his left knee following the first game in Wellington. He will be treated and monitored over the coming days before a decision is made on his availability for the third T20I,” NZC shared on X (formerly Twitter).

This allows Young to prove himself in the shortest format and earn a ticket to the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is slated to begin on June 1. In the first T20I of the series, Ravindra showed his class as he made 68 runs off 35 deliveries. Courtesy of his power-hitting, the hosts posted 215 runs on the board but the bowlers failed to defend it.

Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh, who had a phenomenal 2023, started well in 2024 and won the first T20I against New Zealand. The 32-year-old smashed an unbeaten 72 off 44 as others supported him well. Notably, with four runs required off the final delivery, Tim David whipped Southee’s yorker into the gap to pick up a boundary and win it for the visitors.

The Kiwis won’t be too disappointed with their effort but there remains room for improvement. They missed Trent Boult in the opening game, who is named in the playing XI for the second game. His presence is likely to bolster Kiwis’ chances to level the series at Eden Park. In the batting department, they will miss Kane Williamson but they already have a stacked unit.