India and New Zealand on the Brink of World Cup Glory
India’s male cricket team has been absent from the last five finals in ICC white-ball World Cups, while New Zealand, despite reaching three finals in seven years, has never secured a victory. The clash at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final promises a showdown where something has to give.
Date and Venue: Wednesday, November 15, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Summary: The anticipation is palpable as India faces New Zealand in a mouth-watering clash, echoing the 2019 semi-final at Old Trafford in Manchester. On that occasion, New Zealand emerged victorious in a nail-biting classic, denying India a spot in the final despite Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni’s valiant fightback.
India’s journey to this semi-final has been even more serene than their campaign in England four years ago, winning all nine games and rarely facing significant challenges on their path to the knockout stages.
History beckons for India, seeking their first major tournament win in 12 years. The venue, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, holds special significance as it was where India clinched their last Cricket World Cup in 2011.
For New Zealand, this generation of cricketers has been the nearly-side of white-ball cricket, with players involved in losses in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in 2021 and Cricket World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019.
Squads:
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Prasidh Krishna, Suryakumar Yadav.
New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
The Venue: Semi-Final 1: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
A cricket capital, Wankhede hosted the final of the Men’s Cricket World Cup the last time it was held in India in 2011. The distinct red-soil pitch is expected to play a crucial role.
Key Players:
India – Rohit Sharma: While Virat Kohli has scored more runs, Rohit Sharma’s phenomenal form at the top has consistently set the tone for India. His 503 runs at a strike rate of 121.49 have alleviated run-rate pressure on the middle order.
New Zealand – Rachin Ravindra: The breakout star of the World Cup, Ravindra, has been a revelation with both bat and ball. His brilliant batting, with 565 runs in nine innings, makes him a key player for New Zealand’s chances.
India – Jasprit Bumrah: India’s bowling superstar, Bumrah, has been outstanding throughout the tournament. His exceptional Powerplay numbers and overall performance make him a formidable force.
New Zealand – Tim Southee: With the loss of Matt Henry, the onus is on Southee to deliver on the big stage. His experience and ability to support Trent Boult with the new ball are crucial for New Zealand’s success.
The clash promises high stakes, with both teams eyeing a coveted spot in the World Cup final.
