New Zealand Suffer Illness Scare Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Match

Two important New Zealand batters, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, have fallen sick just a few days before the T20 World Cup 2026 begins.

The two players are likely to miss the practice match, but coach Rob Walter is confident they will be ready for the first game.

New Zealand are set to play their warm-up match against the USA in Mumbai. The team will also be without Finn Allen, who is recovering from a shoulder injury.

“There’s a bit of illness in the camp, unfortunately, at the moment, so Devon and Rachin are ⁠struggling with a viral infection, which I suppose is part ‌and parcel of touring,” Walter told reporters on Thursday.

New Zealand Hit by Illness Before World Cup Warm-Up Match

“Rachin’s next ​door to me, and it hasn’t sounded good all night, so I think he might be struggling.” Meanwhile, they play their first match vs Afghanistan in Chennai on Sunday. That said, Michael Bracewell should be up and running after a calf injury.

“Everyone’s ⁠sort of on track at this stage to be fit and healthy for game one, which is good news,” he said.

“He has worked incredibly hard to get himself ready for the World Cup. He said he was going to ease into it, but he was bowling 145 (kph). So if that’s him ⁠easing in, I’m looking forward to seeing ​what’s to come," said Walter.

On the positive side, fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is back in the team. He bowls with great pace and could be very important for New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.

×

India vs South Africa Warm-Up Match: 450 Runs, 33 Sixes Thrill DY Patil Crowd The two teams who played the last final warmed up for the upcoming World Cup with a high-scoring match at DY Patil Stadium.

by Shekhar February 5, 2026