Online Desk: India and New Zealand are set to face off in the first semifinal of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15 at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time. Led by Rohit Sharma, India secured the top spot by winning eight consecutive games. On the other hand, New Zealand earned a spot in the top four with five wins in nine matches. Ahead of the big match, let’s review the condition of each team.

Preview of IND vs NZ ODI in the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 

India headed to the semifinal with great confidence as they won three consecutive matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands this month. In all three matches, they batted first and emerged victorious. In their previous encounter with New Zealand, India won the match while batting second.

India

In the midst of all the surprises and upsets that the 2023 ODI World Cup has delivered, one consistent factor stands out—India’s unquestionable dominance throughout the tournament.

India has three of the top eight run-scorers in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The former captain, Virat Kohli, leads the charts with 594 runs in nine innings, followed by current captain Rohit Sharma with 503 runs and batter Shreyas Iyer with 421 runs, both in nine innings each. This collective dominance is quite significant.

Furthermore, India has three bowlers among the top eight wicket-takers in the tournament. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah leads with 17 wickets in nine innings, followed by fellow fast bowler Mohammed Shami with 16 wickets in five innings, and spinner Ravindra Jadeja with 16 wickets in nine innings. Mohammed Siraj is a bit further down the list with 12 wickets in nine innings.

Having won the Cricket World Cup twice, with the last victory in 2011, India is currently unbeaten at home and has several star players in excellent form. However, Hardik Pandya’s absence from the squad could prove to be a significant factor for India, given that he was not only one of their key players but also served as the team’s vice-captain. With Suryakumar Yadav taking his place at number 5 in the batting lineup, India has been playing with just five bowlers ever since Pandya was sidelined.

Shubman Gill’s comeback after recovering from dengue has led to him consistently opening the batting alongside Sharma since the match against Pakistan on October 14. And getting Shubman regularly in the team is a plus point for India.

New Zealand

New Zealand should be thankful for securing four wins relatively early in their World Cup campaign, as they later experienced four consecutive defeats. However, a late victory over Sri Lanka pushed them into the semifinal stage of the tournament against the clear favorites for the title.

Opener Rachin Ravindra and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell stand out as the top run-scorers for the Black Caps at the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Ravindra has accumulated 565 runs in nine innings, whereas Mitchell has notched up 418 runs in eight innings, registering three centuries in this tournament. The return to fitness of captain Kane Williamson is also a significant boost for the team.

New Zealand’s standout wicket-takers in this tournament are spinner Mitchell Santner and fast bowler Trent Boult, who have collectively taken 29 wickets. Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has contributed with 10 wickets. The absence of fiery Matt Henry, who took 11 wickets before leaving the tournament due to injury, is a potential concern.

Despite being finalists in 2019 and 2015, New Zealand has never won the Cricket World Cup. As they aim for a third successive final, their recent bilateral ODI series record against India is not impressive. However, in a major tournament, a single win can correct past shortcomings.

Probable Starting XI for India

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.

Probable Starting XI for New Zealand

Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult.

IND vs NZ Head-to-head Records So Far

In the 117 ODI matches played between India and New Zealand, India has the lead with 59 victories. However, New Zealand is a notable challenge for India. In the ODI World Cups, the two teams have faced each other ten times. New Zealand has won five of those matches, while India has emerged victorious in four, with one match ending without a result.

Indian Players to Watch

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has been the standout batsman for India in this tournament, consistently providing explosive starts that have often put the team in a favorable position. However, when considering his suitability for the upcoming game, it’s important to note that his current form is the primary factor in his favor. However, Rohit doesn’t have a good record against New Zealand, and he has a 37.40 average from 26 innings against New Zealand.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has been in excellent form during the tournament, scoring 594 runs in nine innings and currently ranking as the highest run-scorer. His impressive track record against New Zealand, with an average of 56.59 across 30 innings, and his fondness for batting at the Wankhede Stadium, where he has an average of 59.50, make him a crucial and essential choice for the upcoming game.

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami has been in sensational form since entering the tournament. With an impressive 16 wickets in just four matches, Shami is proving to be unstoppable. His outstanding performance makes it impossible to overlook him for the upcoming game.

New Zealand Players to Watch

Rachin Ravindra

The most significant topic of conversation in this tournament has revolved around Rachin Ravindra and his impressive batting performance. With a total of 565 runs in nine innings, he currently holds the title of the third-highest run-scorer in the World Cup 2023. Considering his incredible form, Ravindra is undoubtedly a key player in the next match against the Kiwis.

Trent Boult

The Kiwi speedster hasn’t been in top form during the tournament, making him appear as a somewhat risky choice. However, if New Zealand ends up bowling second, Trent Boult could become a crucial player for them. He grabbed 13 wickets from 9 games.

Final Words

India is unbeaten in this ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. Although New Zealand has a better record in the knockout stage, India has the home ground advantage. So, India is likely to win this IND vs NZ match.