ODI World Cup 2023

3 reasons why India might not choke against New Zealand in World Cup semifinal in 2023

India and New Zealand will be facing each other in the first semifinal of the ODI World Cup 2023 in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium on the 15th of October. The two teams had faced each other in the semifinal of the ODI World Cup 2019 as well. In the match, New Zealand defeated India at Old Trafford in Manchester, which is still not forgotten by Indian fans, former cricketers, and experts.

In the match, India lost by just 18 runs. The hopes of millions of fans were destroyed by Martin Guptill’s run out to dismiss MS Dhoni. India after topping the table in 2019 lost to New Zealand, who finished fourth in the table. As the fates meet again in 2023, India has again topped the table, and New Zealand finished fourth in the table to book a spot in the first semifinal!

Here are three reasons why India might not choke against New Zealand in the World Cup semifinal in 2023.

3. Middle Order batting

In 2019, the biggest problem was a lack of experienced batter in the middle order. India had a problem in finding an able batter at the number 4. In the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup, India played a finisher like Dinesh Karthik at number 4. At number 5, India had an inexperienced batter like Rishabh Pant. To follow him was Hardik Pandya at 6. Things are different in 2023.

At numbers 4 and 5, India has well-tested Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who have been one of the best middle-order batters in the world at the moment. Since 2019, Iyer and Rahul have been regulars in the Indian team and have succeeded against top teams like New Zealand, South Africa, and others. In the ongoing World Cup, both the batters have rescued India from difficult situations.

2. Sensational bowling lineup

India has been the best bowling attack in the tournament. In all the teams, there are bowlers whose economy is well over 6. But India has a bowling attack in which all the bowlers have an economy of less than 5.50. Among the bowlers who have been playing in the recent combination, all of them have been incredible in stopping the runs and claiming wickets as well.

Mohammed Shami has 16 wickets to his name at an economy of 4.78. Jasprit Bumrah has an economy of just 3.65 and claimed 17 wickets so far. Ravindra Jadeja has 16 wickets to his name at an economy of just 3.97. Mohammad Siraj has 12 wickets to his name at an economy of 5.20. Kuldeep Yadav has 14 wickets to his name at an economy of just 4.15. These are sensational numbers for a bowling unit.

1. In-form top order

In 2019, India had the likes of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli in the top order. This time around, Rohit and Virat are constant, and Rahul is replaced by Gill. All three batters in the tournament have been in good form. The experienced batters like Virat and Rohit have been in an astonishing form. It will be crucial for India in the Knockouts.

In 9 matches, Virat has 594 runs at a stunning average of 99.00, at a strike rate of 88.52, including 2 hundred and 5 fifty-plus scores. Rohit has 503 runs in 9 innings at an average of 55.88, at a stunning strike rate of 121.49, including a hundred and 3 fifty-plus scores. Gill has 270 runs in 7 innings at an average of 38.57, at a batting strike rate of 104.65, including 3 fifty-plus scores.