ODI World Cup 2023: India vs New Zealand, Semi-final 1- Top player battles to watch out for

India and New Zealand will face off in the first semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15. This will be the second time in two consecutive World Cups that India and New Zealand will clash in the knockout match.

New Zealand has come into the semi-finals with an up-and-down journey in the league stage. The Blackcaps started well by winning the first four of their league-stage matches against England, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. But then they lost four in a row, to India, Australia, South Africa and Pakistan. However, a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka was enough for them to make it into the semis. 

On the other hand, India has been like a juggernaut in the World Cup as they have won all nine of their matches, and that too by huge margins. India even defeated New Zealand in the league stage by four wickets and was the first team to qualify for the semis. 

But New Zealand has had an upper hand over India in ICC events knockout matches, most famously them routing India in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup. But this time, the form is different, the venue is different and some players are also different. 

Here are three player battles to watch out for in the India vs New Zealand, Semi-Final 1 contest:

1. Kane Williamson vs Mohammed Shami 

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, and Mohammed Shami, the in-form India pacer, will have quite a battle when the two sides clash in the  semi-final. Shami did not play in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, so this will be their first meeting in an ODI World Cup knockout match.

Kane Williamson has played just three matches in this World Cup owing to his knee injury and then a broken thumb. But he has scores of 78*, 95 and 14 in those matches. Shami, on the other hand, was benched for the first four matches, but since his inclusion in the XI after Hardik Pandya’s injury, he has picked 16 wickets at an average of 12 and an economy of 4.78 with two fifers.

Shami has dismissed Williamson twice in ODIs, while the Kiwi skipper has scored 71 runs in 91 balls against the Indian pacer. But Shami has the advantage as the last time India played in Mumbai in the World Cup was against Sri Lanka and Shami picked up 5/18 to rout them for 55 runs.

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2.  Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult

India captain Rohit Sharma scores to settle with New Zealand. In the 2019 World Cup semi-final, he was out LBW for one run off Matt Henry as India lost the match despite Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni’s efforts. Trent Boult accounted for Virat Kohli and Jadeja’s wickets in that match.

In the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, Rohit Sharm has scored 503 runs with one ton and three fifties at a strike rate of 121.49. Against New Zealand in Dharamshala, he had made 46 in 40 balls with four fours and four sixes, while Trent Boult went for 60 runs for one wicket. Overall, Boult has 13 wickets in nine games with a best of 3/37.

After head-to-head results, Rohit Sharma has scored 107 runs off 156 balls against Boult with 13 fours and a six. Boult has gotten Rohit out four times and this match-up will be epic in Mumbai on November 15.

Also Check: List of Rohit Sharma international & IPL centuries 

3. Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Santner

Left-arm spinners have been a weakness for Virat Kohli and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner has kept him quiet on ODIs on more than one occasion. In 15 innings, Kohli managed just 164 runs off Santner’s 238 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes for three dismissals in ODIs. 

But when the two teams clash in the first semi-final in Mumbai, Santner, who has 16 wickets in nine matches with a best of 6/59 in this ICC World Cup 2023, will face a different Kohli. Kohli has scored 594 runs in nine innings with two centuries and five fifties and a best of 103*. His strike rate has been 88.52 and his average is 99. 

But Mumbai's wicket has shown that it can be a tricky one and if New Zealand bowl first or are asked to bowl first, Santner might come in handy to keep Kohli quiet. Expect a blockbuster clash at the venue where India has lifted the 2011 World Cup and will aim to win the match and move one step closer to the trophy.

Also Check: List of Virat Kohli international & IPL centuries