India vs New Zealand Semi-final 1
ICC World Cup, 15 November, 2023, 2 PM IST, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
The league phase of the World Cup 2023 is done and dusted and the knockout matches are upon us. India vs New Zealand semi-final will face each other on November 15 (Wednesday) and the clash will take place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Team India has done exceptionally well in this World Cup, winning all their matches so far and are the prime contenders to win the tournament, for the third time in history.
Most of their wins have been extremely convincing so far with New Zealand, their semi-final opponents, stretching them a bit far in the league stage encounter played in Dharamsala.
The men in blue will be aware of the threat the Kiwis bring to the table having lost to them four years ago in the semifinal itself. They will be looking to avenge that defeat. However, India’s record in the ICC knockouts hasn’t been great against New Zealand. The BlackCaps have won all three matches against India in the knockout matches of ICC tournaments so far.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis made their semifinal qualification a bit hard for themselves. They began their World Cup campaign in style, beating England, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in consecutive matches. But then, they went down in their next four encounters losing to India, Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.
Their match against Sri Lanka was a must-win for them and they thumped the islanders by five wickets, chasing down a paltry score of 172 runs with ease. Their big win also made it nearly impossible for Pakistan to qualify, who were eventually knocked out of the tournament.
Now that they are in the semifinals, the Kiwis will be looking to repeat their 2019 heroics and also avenge for their close defeat in the league stage.
The India vs New Zealand semi-final prediction is tough to predict given that this is a knockout match in an ICC event. Both teams have done well to make it to the semifinal and this will lead to a thrilling encounter in Mumbai.
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for India: W-W-W-W-W
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for the New Zealand: W-L-L-L-L
ICC World Cup 2023 schedule: All fixtures and results
Contents
India vs New Zealand semi-final Match Preview
India
India have been brilliant, to say the least in this World Cup. Their batting, led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, has clicked in every match while whenever they have been in trouble some or the other batter has stepped up to notch up a match-winning effort.
The bowling has gone up a notch better too. Hardik Pandya’s injury paved the way for Mohammed Shami to come into the playing XI and he hasn’t looked back since. Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj have done well to pick up early wickets while the middle overs have been taken care of by Kuldeep and Jadeja.
Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Virat Kohli
Probable Best Bowler: Kuldeep Yadav
Possible Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav
New Zealand
New Zealand have faced multiple injury issues right through the league stage. There is still a cloud over Jimmy Neesham’s fitness, it seems but the likes of Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, and Mark Chapman have regained full fitness and will be keen to play key roles for the side.
The bowling attack of New Zealand will be eager to have a piece of the in-form Indian line-up, especially under the lights at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. It remains to be seen if the Kiwis will include Kyle Jamieson at the expense of Chapman.
Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Kane Williamson
Probable Best Bowler: Trent Boult
Possible Playing XI: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (C), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Philips, Tom Latham (WK), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Pitch Report and Expected Weather Conditions for India vs New Zealand semi-final
The pitch at the Wankhee Stadium has been good for batting but not under the lights. The venue witnessed the magical knock from Glenn Maxwell last week but Australia were down and out at 91/7 at one stage against Afghanistan. The team winning the toss will look to bat first in this pressure game and post massive runs on the board.
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai ODI Records
Total Matches: 33
Match Won batting first: 17
Match won bowling first: 16
Average 1st innings score: 248
Average 2nd innings score: 199
Expected weather condition: There is no threat of rain in the India vs New Zealand match semi-final clash on Wednesday (November 15). The temperature will be in the mid-30s in the afternoon and the clouds will be clear for the entire match.
India vs New Zealand semi-final Dream11 Match Prediction
Wicket-keepers: Devon Conway, KL Rahul
Batters: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson
All-rounders: Mitchell Santner
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Kuldeep Yadav
Recommended Captain: Virat Kohli
Recommended Vice-captain: Kane Williamson
It is extremely tough to pick a Dream11 Fantasy team for this match. All top players are available to be picked and we have gone with Conway and Rahul in the wicketkeepers department. Kohli, Rohit, Gill and Williamson are among the batters picked in the Dream11 Fantasy team.
Among bowlers, Shami, Bumrah, Boult and Kuldeep are expected to gain maximum points by picking up wickets at regular intervals. Mitchell Santner is the all-rounder selected thanks to his exceptional bowling skills in left-arm spin. Kohli, Rohit and Williamson are good captaincy options for this encounter.
India vs New Zealand semi-final Dream11 win prediction: India to win
It is very tough to predict the winner of this semifinal clash. But with the way the men in blue have been playing their cricket over the last few weeks, the home team is certainly the favourite to win their third World Cup.
