On Wednesday, November 15, India will face New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semifinals in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The Men in Blue have gone undefeated in the league, but they do not have fond memories of meeting this competition in the knockout stages.
India were halted in their tracks four years ago in the semifinal of the 2019 edition in Manchester due to rain. Rohit Sharma and company will want to revenge that defeat and move closer to World Cup triumph.
The Men in Blue will need their major players to stand up in this must-win World Cup match, especially given their track record in ICC knockouts over the last decade. New Zealand will be aware that they are heading into the match as favorites, which makes them a dangerous team.
On that point, here are the three player matchups that might determine whether side advances to the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad:
3. Kane Williamson vs Kuldeep Yadav
Despite a long-term knee injury followed by a fractured thumb, Kane Williamson returned for New Zealand just in time for the tournament’s tail end. The captain understands how to rise to the situation, and he is the one India batters would want to eliminate early.
Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist spinner, has an excellent record against Williamson in ODIs, dismissing him twice and surrendering only 18 runs in 25 deliveries. If the pitch in Wankhede is sluggish, Kuldeep will enjoy bowling to Williamson. It will be intriguing to watch how the New Zealand skipper, who is a formidable spinner, finds a way.
2. Rohit Sharma vs Tim Southee
This is because most of India’s World Cup matches have commenced strongly thanks to Rohit Sharma‘s ultra aggressive tactics at the start. This has obliged the captain of India in the series to give way to the home starts this time too, and he will hope to do the same again here at home.
Although, perhaps, the Kiwis boast one of the top new-ball attacks in ODIs, who they hope would be dismissed down very early by Rohit. All of Tim Southee’s experience would have been focused on the stopping of India’s captain from having a good beginning.
Southee has given up 104 runs in 149 balls thrown to Rohit Sharma in ODIs. The seasoned pacer, on the other hand, has dismissed the opening five times. Rohit’s patience will be tested by his outswinger as well as that jumbled seam that nips back.
1. Virat Kohli vs Trent Boult
When Virat Kohli was called LBW off Trent Boult’s bowling in the 2019 World Cup semifinal four years ago, Indian fans found it impossible to forget. Boult, one of the best exponents of the new ball, will be a headache even if Virat Kohli finds a little swing or seam movement.
In one-day internationals, Virat Kohli has struck 145 runs off just 137 balls against Trent Boult. However, the left-arm pacer has also dismissed the star hitter three times, making this a tense matchup that may go either way.
