IND vs NZ: After the humiliating loss against Sri Lanka, especially with the sheer domination in the second Test of the series, where the Blackcaps lost by an innings, the red ball captain Tim Southee stepped down and is to be replaced by Tom Latham.
After Kane Williamson stepped down as the New Zealand skipper from the longest format of the game, the skipper who had led them to the champions of the first WTC, Post Kane Williamson leaving captaincy due to an extended injury period, Tim Southee emerged in the role as he remains the most experienced player on the longest format of the game for the Kiwis.
Southee has led them in overall 14 tests while sharing a record of 6 wins and 6 losses with only two draws. Southee stepped into the sub-continent, as their one-off test against Afghanistan was washed out due to rain in Greater Noida, while their series against the Lankans at Galle went totally in favour of the hosts.
“Captaining the Blackcaps in a format that’s so special to me, has been an absolute honour and a privilege,” he said. “I’ve always tried to put the team first throughout my career and I believe this decision is the best for the team.
Southee embarked on how his team has high hopes for him as a bowler and hence he would look to move forward on the field and keep taking wickets, as Southee emerged as their all-time highest wicket-taker for the Kiwis.
Southee also confirmed that it was a self-made decision of his to step down from the role of New Zealand skipper, and also confined on how it was Tom’s decision to go ahead with the team’s captaincy role as well.
India will have their next series scheduled against India, which includes a part of their WTC matches. Southee has taken just 12 wickets in 8 of their matches, however, after the Sri Lanka series he might not be seen in the first match of the India series, with slim chances of featuring in further games.
Will O’Rourke has been sensational this WTC for New Zealand and since now Southee lacks captaincy options, he might be picked only under competition alongside Ben Sears and Matt Henry.
Prior to this, Tom Latham was seen in the role of a New Zealand skipper for nine tests as a deputy of the then Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson from 2020-22, and now he is registered as the new full-time skipper for New Zealand.
