The ICC Cricket World Cup, 2023 is reaching its climax as the unbeaten India take on the resilient New Zealand in the first semi-final knockout match tomorrow at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The two teams have a rich history of rivalry in the World Cup, having faced each other nine times, with New Zealand winning five and India four. However, India have the edge in the recent encounters, having defeated New Zealand in the 2019 and 2023 editions of the tournament.
India have been the most dominant team in the World Cup, 2023, winning all their eight matches in the league stage. They have displayed a formidable batting line-up, led by the captain Virat Kohli, who is the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 594 runs in nine matches¹. He is well supported by the opener Rohit Sharma, who has scored 503 runs in nine matches, including 24 sixes, the most by any batsman in the tournament¹. India also have a strong middle order, with the likes of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, who can accelerate the scoring rate and finish the innings on a high.
India's bowling attack is equally impressive, with the pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami leading the wicket-taking charts. Bumrah has taken 17 wickets in nine matches, with an economy rate of 3.65, the second-best among the bowlers who have bowled more than 10 overs in the tournament¹. Shami has been the most lethal bowler, taking 22 wickets in nine matches, including two five-wicket hauls, one of which was a record-breaking 5/18 against Sri Lanka¹. India also have quality spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav, who can exploit the turn and bounce on the Mumbai pitch.
New Zealand, on the other hand, have had a mixed campaign, winning four and losing four of their eight matches in the league stage. They have qualified for the semi-final by virtue of a better net run rate than Pakistan, who also had the same number of points. New Zealand have relied heavily on their captain Kane Williamson, who has scored 519 runs in eight matches, with an average of 173, the best among the batsmen who have played more than five innings in the tournament¹. He has been the anchor of the New Zealand batting, holding the innings together and playing some match-winning knocks.
New Zealand's bowling has been spearheaded by the left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra, who has taken 15 wickets in nine matches, and also scored 565 runs in nine matches, making him the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament¹. He has been a revelation for New Zealand, providing them with the much-needed balance and versatility. New Zealand also have a potent pace attack, with the likes of Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, who can trouble the Indian batsmen with their pace and swing.
The semi-final match between India and New Zealand promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams have the potential to lift the coveted trophy. India have the advantage of playing at home, in front of a passionate crowd, and having a superior head-to-head record against New Zealand in the recent past. However, New Zealand have the experience of playing in the World Cup semi-finals, having reached the last four in the previous three editions of the tournament. They also have the ability to spring a surprise, as they did in the 2019 World Cup, when they stunned India in the semi-final by 18 runs².
The match will be a test of skill, temperament and character, as both teams will look to give their best and make it to the final. The fans can expect a high-scoring encounter, as the Wankhede Stadium has a batting-friendly pitch, and the boundaries are small. However, the pitch is also known to assist spinners a bit, and the dew factor might come into play in the second innings. The toss might be crucial, as both teams might prefer to bat first and put up a big total on the board.
The match will start at 2:30 pm IST, and will be telecast live on Star Sports and Hotstar. The fans can also follow the live updates and scorecard on the official website of the ICC Cricket World Cup, 2023³. The match will be a treat for the cricket lovers, as they will witness some of the best players in the world competing for the ultimate glory. The match will also be a clash of the titans, as India and New Zealand will battle it out for a place in the final.