Team India will face New Zealand in the first semi-finals of the World Cup 2023 to be played in Mumbai on 15th November 2023. It promises to be an exciting encounter as Men in Blue would be looking for their continued domination in the first 9 matches, they played before this.
New Zealand would be looking to showcase their skills in front of a capacity crowd and make sure they put up a fight against a strong Indian side. The Kiwis side had an upper hand in knockout matches which will make them confident.
Both teams have quality players who can change the course of the game with their abilities and help their country qualify for the finals.
Here we look at the 5 Players To Watch Out For The First Semi-finals between India and New Zealand:
- Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma has been in sensational form of late during the first 10 overs laying a strong foundation along with Shubman Gill making life tough for the bowlers. He makes use of the field restrictions that make the opponent captain think.
When these two teams met in Dharmshala during the league stage, Rohit Sharma provided a flying start putting pressure on New Zealand bowlers laying a strong foundation to help India register victory.
Rohit Sharma has a great record against New Zealand in the One-day format with 935 runs from 28 matches (26 innings) including 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries to his name including the best score of 147.
He would be looking to provide an attacking start in the first 10 overs that will allow the other Indian batters to score runs easily and keep momentum going.
- Rachin Ravindra
The stylish left-handed opener Rachin Ravindra would play a key role in the semi-finals against India. He has been in sensational form during his debut World Cup with 3 centuries to his name and provided attacking starts.
When these two teams met at Dharmshala, Rachin Ravindra played with an attacking approach against the spinners and pacers. He looked impressive with well well-made 75 but could not convert it into a big score.
Rachin Ravindra would be hoping to provide a decent start in the first 10 overs against top-quality Indian bowling of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj that will lay a strong foundation to help New Zealand register a victory.
- KL Rahul
KL Rahul has been the backbone of the Indian middle order during this World Cup. He proved his worth with the fastest century by an Indian in the final league match against the Netherlands.
Coming at number 5, Rahul looked impressive playing in different gears not allowing the bowlers to settle and putting the bowlers under pressure. He can play the spinners and pacers with full confidence.
KL Rahul has a decent record against New Zealand in the ODI format with 232 runs from 5 matches (5 innings) including 1 century and 1 half-century to his name, highest score of 112.
He would be playing a key role in the middle order depending upon the situation of the game. The Indian team will rely on him to provide goods and help them qualify for finals.
- Trent Boult
The left-arm pace bowler Trent Boult returned to form with 3 wickets in the first 10 overs against Sri Lanka at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. He would be looking to grab early wickets to put pressure on the Indian batting lineup.
Boult was put under pressure by Rohit Sharma at Dharmshala. He ended with figures of 1 for 60 in 10 overs. The conditions at Mumbai would likely suit the pace bowlers which would create doubt on Indian openers.
He has a superb record against India in ODIs with 25 wickets from 14 matches at an economy of 4.80 runs per over including best figures of 5 for 21. Boult would be key for New Zealand’s chances and not allow them to post a big total.
- Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has been in sensational form of late during the league stage of the World Cup. He has been lethal picking early wickets and not allowing the opponents to run away with score in the first 10 overs.
Bumrah had a decent spell in the league match against NZ at Dharmshala. He finished with figures of 1 for 45 in 10 overs grabbing the wicket of Mark Chapman.
His role is to pick early wickets and keep the score under check in the first 10 overs. Bumrah has taken 14 wickets from 12 matches against NZ at an economy of 4.69 runs per over including best figures of 3 for 35.
Bumrah will be key for India’s chances in the first 10 overs picking early wickets and helping the Indian team register victory.
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