The league stage is over, and a confident Indian team will take on New Zealand in the 1st semifinal of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The Indians have led an impressive campaign and finished on the top of the points table after their win against the Netherlands. They will look to ride this momentum and reach the final. New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka in their last game. They have done well in this tournament and shall look to deliver the killer punch to the Indians.
Indians have used the home conditions to their advantage. The top order looked good, and the bowling attack troubled all opponents in the league games. They have won the last four matches against New Zealand and will take inspiration from those wins. New Zealand defeated India in the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup, and the side will take inspiration from that win. With high stakes involved, we expect a close contest in this game.
VENUE FOR INDIA-NEW ZEALAND SEMI FINAL MATCH
As the game progresses and the pitch begins to wear, spinners can come into play. Mumbai’s hot and humid conditions can cause the pitch to deteriorate, leading to assistance for spinners, particularly in the latter stages.
Average 1st Innings Score: 234
Average 2nd Innings Score: 204
TEAM PREVIEW
INDIA
Rohit Sharma’s side had started as the favorites to win this tournament. Their stature and confidence have grown with every game. The side has registered big wins in the tournament and has defeated all the sides. It was a comprehensive win for them against New Zealand earlier, and Sharma and his men would look to repeat the same magic. They will be aware of New Zealand’s strengths and play aggressive cricket in this game.
Rohit Sharma has made over 500 runs in this tournament and has given good starts. He will look to do the same with Shubman Gill in this do-or-die contest. Virat Kohli has been in phenomenal form and will look to make it count in the middle order as he builds partnerships with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are good finishers, making it a strong batting line-up.
The bowling attack has terrorized opponents with their consistency. The team will expect early wickets from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj in this game, as the Kiwi top order has been in good form. Mohammad Shami adds teeth to this attack and will look to deliver another good performance. Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja have bowled well as a pair and will look to do the same in this game.
EXPECTED XI OF INDIA v NEW ZEALAND
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
NEW ZEALAND
Kane Williamson’s side defeated Sri Lanka in the last game to booth their berth in the semifinal. It was a great show from the side when it mattered the most. They had lost the previous four matches and bounced back in style. Williamson would like to repeat 2019, where they knocked India out of the tournament. It will be challenging, but his side has the resources to do well.
Devon Conway has done well and will look to deliver a solid start with his partner Rachin Ravindra, who has announced himself in this tournament. Williamson looks in good form at No. 3, and he will look to anchor this innings along with Darryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman. Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner are good hitters who add depth to this batting line-up.
The side will expect a good start from Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Both bowlers have done well against India and must deliver the goods in this game. Lockie Ferguson did well against Sri Lanka and must bowl tight spells in the middle overs with Santner. Phillips and Ravindra add variety to this attack and will look to do well in this high-stakes battle.
EXPECTED XI OF NEW ZEALAND v INDIA
Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
PREDICTION FOR THE GAME
India has ticked all the boxes in the tournament and has frontline batsmen and fast bowlers in good form. They play at home with the crowds supporting them, making them favorites in this game.
Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: “Shreyas Iyer & KL Rahul Have Batted Quite Superbly”- Sunil Gavaskar