CWC 2019: Semi-final 1 Preview – India enter as favourites in the knockout clash
In the group stages of the World Cup, India and New Zealand were the two unbeaten sides in the tournament for a long time. Their battle was much awaited but did not take place due to inclement weather in Nottingham. These two teams now face each other in the first semi-final of the 2019 World Cup.
India topped the group stage with seven wins from their nine matches. Rohit Sharma, who is on the verge of overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of scoring the most runs in a single World Cup, has been in a stellar form. The opener has smashed five centuries in the tournament and another hundred will take him past Sachin’s all-time tally.
The bowling department has been ably handled by Jasprit Bumrah and his partner Mohammed Shami. India’s only worry will be their struggling middle order. None in those batting positions have made an impact. They will be severely tested if New Zealand pacers can dislodge the Indian top order quickly.
New Zealand will be the underdogs in this competition. After a good start, they fell off the charts against top teams in the tournament. The Blackcaps managed to sneak in the semi-final thanks to their superior net run rate. They are coming off a three-match losing streak and will be facing a side which defeated them 4-1 in the ODI series held at home.
The failure of the openers has been a major concern for New Zealand. Martin Guptill averages 23 while his partners (Colin Munro and Henry Nicholls) have also been disappointing. Williamson has been their sole hope on most occasions, he leads the second-highest run-getter in the side by 220 runs. New Zeland will have to find many heroes to go past India.
Match Info
India vs New Zealand, first semi-final
Old Trafford, Manchester (03:00 PM IST)
There is a rain forecast in Manchester on the match day. There are 40% chances of rain on the match day and they shoot up to 70% on the reserve day. In case of a washout, India will progress to the final due to their better record in the group stage.
Head-to-Head
New Zealand has an upper hand over India in the World Cup encounters. In seven completed matches, the Blackcaps have defeated India four times. Their last completed duel was in the 2003 World Cup where India cruised to a seven-wicket victory. The group stage battle in the 2019 World Cup was a washout.
Team News
India
Ravindra Jadeja was brought in the team for the first time in the Sri Lanka game. The left-arm spinner bowled a crucial spell which should push his case as the second spinner. Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammed Shami who were rested are likely to get back in the side. Kuldeep Yadav may not find a place in the playing XI against New Zealand. Bhuvneshwar may also lose his spot to Mohammed Shami who has taken 14 wickets in four matches. India can also explore the option of picking Kedar Jadhav in place of Dinesh Karthik.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s top wicket-taker Lockie Ferguson was rested in the last match due to a hamstring niggle. He is expected to be back in the side by replacing Tim Southee. The Blackcaps will also consider playing an extra spinner in the form of Ish Sodhi. He may replace Matt Henry on the Manchester track which tends to get slower in the second innings. Rest of the crew is likely to remain the same.
Probable XI
India: KL Rahul, R Sharma, V Kohli (c), R Pant, MS Dhoni(w), D Karthik/K Jadhav, H Pandya, R Jadeja/K Yadav, Y Chahal, M Shami, J Bumrah
New Zealand: M Guptill, H Nicholls, K Williamson(c), R Taylor, T Latham(w), Colin de Grandhomme, J Neesham, M Santner, L Ferguson, M Henry/I Sodhi, Trent Boult
Stat Attack
- Trent Boult has dismissed Rohit Sharma four times in the ODIs. Rohit has scored only 88 runs off Boult’s 136 balls.
- Virat Kohli averages 68.52 against New Zealand. In 22 innings, he has scored 1,302 runs with five centuries and seven half-centuries.
- Rohit Sharma (647 runs currently) needs 27 runs to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of
673 runs in a single edition of the WC. He needs 23 more runs to complete 1000 World Cup runs.
