World Cup final beckons for India or New Zealand
Wednesday 15 November, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
All eyes will be on Wankhede Stadium as India host New Zealand in the first semi-final at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup
India versus New Zealand is a mouth-watering prospect as the first semi-final of the tournament throws up a repeat of the 2019 semi at Old Trafford in Manchester.
A rain-affected semi-final between New Zealand and India played over two days.
New Zealand denied India in a nail-biting classic on that occasion, with Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni’s fightback proving not quite enough to deny the Kiwis a spot in the final.
India’s progression to this semi-final has been even more serene that it was in England four years ago, with Rohit Sharma’s side winning all nine games and rarely even looking like being challenged on their path to the knockout stages.
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History beckons for an India side who are looking for a first major tournament win in 12 years, and where better for this semi-final to be held than at the venue where India won their last Cricket World Cup back in 2011.
This generation of New Zealand cricketers are the nearly-side of the white-ball game, with many of the players to have lost the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final in 2021 and Cricket World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019 still involved in the set-up.
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India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Prasidh Krishna, Suryakumar Yadav.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c),****Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
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Semi-Final 1: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
A “cricket capital” of sorts, the Wankhede hosted the final of the Men's Cricket World Cup the last time it was held in India back in 2011.
The distinct red-soil pitch will no doubt play its part.
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India – Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli has scored more runs, but Rohit Sharma’s remarkable form at the top of the order has repeatedly set the tone for India throughout their tournament.
His 503 runs have come at a strike rate of 121.49, helping India to get off to the sort of starts that have taken run-rate pressure off those in the middle order.
Player of the match highlights as India skipper Rohit Sharma top-scored with 87 on a tough day for batters against England at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
Getting Rohit early will be vital to New Zealand’s hopes of beating the tournament hosts.
New Zealand – Rachin Ravindra
The breakout star of this World Cup is undoubtedly New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra. The spin-bowling all-rounder was a known talent, but few would have predicted just how brilliant his batting has been for the Kiwis.
A handy squad member at the start of the campaign, Ravindra is now a lock in the first XI and will look to take the attack back to India. Only Quinton de Kock and Virat Kohli have scored more runs than the New Zealander’s 565 in nine innings.
Batting highlights as Rachin Ravindra hit nine fours and five sixes in his 116 for New Zealand against Australia at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
If Ravindra gets away against the country that his parents herald from then New Zealand will have a big chance.
India – Jasprit Bumrah
India’s bowling superstar has been consistently outstanding throughout the tournament to-date.
Bumrah’s Powerplay numbers are exceptional, and if he can squeeze New Zealand’s openers then that will go a long way to halting the Black Caps with the bat.
Jasprit Bumrah rose to the occasion against Pakistan with a shrewd spell of 2/19 to set up India's victory at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
Bumrah is the all-round package – brilliant up-top, threatening through the middle and skilled at the death.
And his numbers in the tournament are outstanding – 17 wickets from nine matches at an average of 15.64 and a fantastic economy of 3.65. No bowler to have played more than one match can better that economy rate in the tournament.
New Zealand – Tim Southee
The loss of Matt Henry from New Zealand’s attack was a significant blow, and the pressure will be on Tim Southee to deliver on the big stage.
Southee has no lack of experience and will know that he needs to provide quality support for Trent Boult with the new ball and protect Lockie Ferguson for the middle overs as much as possible.
If Southee is expensive then India will already have a huge advantage even before they look to target the combination of all-rounders who will provide the fifth-set of 10 overs for the Black Caps.