A frightening moment occurred during the third T20 International between India and New Zealand when a powerful shot from New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell narrowly missed a boundary steward. The incident took place during the live match and highlighted the risks faced by ground staff working close to the boundary during high-intensity cricket.

Mitchell struck the ball with considerable force, sending it racing towards the boundary. The ball passed dangerously close to a steward who appeared to be looking towards the spectators at the time. Fortunately, the ball missed him, and a potentially serious accident was avoided.

Daryl Mitchell's Six Creates a Scary Moment

The incident occurred on the first ball of the sixth over when Mitchell played a powerful pull shot. The ball travelled flat and fast towards the boundary, narrowly missing the steward stationed nearby.

Had the ball struck the steward on the head, it could have caused a serious injury. The close call reportedly left Mitchell visibly concerned, with the batter covering his face after playing the shot.

Although sixes are a regular feature of T20 cricket, the speed and trajectory of a hard-hit ball can make it dangerous for anyone positioned close to the playing area. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of maintaining awareness and following safety procedures during a match.

Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell Build a Strong Partnership

Despite the frightening moment, New Zealand's batting display featured an impressive partnership between Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell.

The pair added 86 runs for the second wicket in just 43 balls, helping New Zealand maintain its scoring momentum. Both batters contributed 40 runs, with Mitchell reaching his total from 20 deliveries and Allen taking 23 balls.

Their attacking approach put pressure on the Indian bowling attack and produced several entertaining moments for the spectators.

Nitish Kumar Reddy Breaks the Partnership

India eventually broke the partnership through Nitish Kumar Reddy. Finn Allen attempted to play an aggressive shot off Reddy's delivery, but the attempt ended in a catch by Naman Dheer at long-on.

The dismissal brought an end to the productive stand and gave India an important breakthrough.

A Reminder About Safety in Cricket

The near miss involving Mitchell's six brought attention to an often-overlooked aspect of professional cricket: the safety of stewards and other ground staff working around the boundary.

While players are trained to deal with fast-moving balls, support staff and spectators may not always be able to react quickly enough when a powerful shot travels directly towards them.

The incident ended without the reported injury described in the account, but it demonstrated how quickly an ordinary moment in a T20 match can become dangerous. Maintaining safe positioning and remaining alert throughout play are essential for everyone working near the boundary.