Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth believes that if the Men in Blue pacers have an opportunity to bowl under lights, the 2023 World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand might be a one-sided affair. According to Sreesanth, the evening three of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj may be devastating.
Indias team is set to take on New Zealand in the opening semi final of the 2023 World Cup, scheduled to be held at Mumbais Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, November 15th. This match holds significance as these two teams previously faced off in the semi final of the 2019 World Cup, where New Zealand emerged victorious with an 18 run lead, over India, in Manchester.
Sreesanth told Sportskeeda that the hosts might dominate with the ball in the quarterfinal match against the Kiwis if they bowl first.
“I feel it could be a one-sided match if our seamers bowl under lights – if Shami, Siraj and Bumrah bowl well. I won’t be easy, but if they use the seam position with the new ball, it won’t be easy for them [New Zealand]. Just in case New Zealand bat first, India must bowl them out inside 300. On Mumbai wickets, such scores can be chased.”
S Sreesanth
When asked what India should do if they win the toss in the semi-final, the 40-year-old said they should bat first.
“India should bat first if they win the toss. It depends on the wicket as well. If it’s a flat track then we should definitely bat first. When we won the World Cup in 1983, we bowled second. In 2011, when we won the World Cup at Wankhede, we batted second. It’s a bit tricky, but I feel we should win the toss and bat first and put up a big score on the board.”
S Sreesanth
India dominated the 2023 World Cup league stage, winning all nine games. The Kiwis, on the other side, ended fourth with five victories and four defeats.
“New Zealand batters won’t find it easy to tackle our spinners” – Sreesanth
Sreesanth noted that it would be fascinating to see what sort of track is on offer while discussing the Mumbai surface. The veteran cricketer believes the Kiwis would struggle against India’s spinners on a turning field.
“It would be interesting to see if they prepare a patta (flat) wicket or a turner. Yes, New Zealand have a good spinner in [Mitchell] Santner, but we play spin well. New Zealand batters won’t find it easy to tackle our spinners Kuldeep [Yadav[ and [Ravindra] Jadeja on a turning track,” the former pacer opined.
S Sreesanth
Both Jadeja and Santner have 16 wickets from nine matches, while Kuldeep has 14 to his record.