3 Biggest threats for India in the CWC 2023 semi-final against New Zealand

India lost the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-final facing the same opposition.

India and New Zealand will be taking on each other at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 15th November. Both have qualified for the semi-final round in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 after a rigorous league round in the past 5 weeks. The winning team will go on to play for glory at Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad on 19th November. New Zealand and India have played the semi-finals twice in the past two editions, New Zealand ended up winning their respective matches, while India lost their respective semi-final games.

India played against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final in 2019 but they suffered a shocking defeat of just 18 runs. India’s record in ICC knockout looks dismal post ICC Champions Trophy 2013 in England. This was the last tournament where India came out as winners and after that, they have lost most of the knockout games barring a few exceptions. Fans are eagerly waiting for the encounter but they are also a bit afraid looking at all the aspects of the game.

Let’s have a look at the three biggest threats the Kiwis pose against India:

1. World Cup 2019 defeat in mind:

Despite being in dominating form, Team India will be having their 2019 semi-final back of their mind whille stepping on the field against New Zealand on 15th November. The Kiwi team defeated India by 18 runs to qualify for their second World Cup final in a close fight in 2019. New Zealand have been a dominant force in every ICC event they have played in and overpowered India on several occasions. Team India will be charting out a well-thought-out plan to tackle New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 

2. Kiwis’ fighting spirit:

New Zealand started their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign in a dominating fashion and won 4 out of their first 4 league games, including defending champions England. Then came the testing times for the Kiwis as they lost 4 consecutive games against India, Australia, South Africa and Pakistan. Apart from the game against South Africa, New Zealand lost against the rest of them in a close contest. India also got a great fight against Kiwis in Dharamsala and they will be expecting the same once against

3. Wankhede’s swing with Boult and Southee duo:

Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has witnessed a huge amount of swing under the lights. Fast bowlers have got a huge help from the wicket and conditions in Mumbai and rattled the opposition’s top order in no time. Team India bowled out Sri Lanka on just 55 runs, while Afghanistan got Australia 4 down inside the 50-run mark in the league round. Trent Boult and Tim Southee will be a big threat for Team India along with the pace of Lockie Ferguson. 

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