When you play against New Zealand you know some sort of planning has been done against each individual: Rohit Sharma

India will square off against New Zealand in their fifth match of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The match will be contested at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on October 22, Sunday.

With both sides striving to get the top spot in the ODI World Cup points table, India skipper Rohit Sharma stated that the New Zealand team are tactically very strong and it takes a lot of effort to outplay a team like them.

"I think when I talk about tactical New Zealand comes to my mind. I feel they are tactically very strong they bat according to the plans that have been given to them. When you play against them you know some sort of planning has been done against each individual," Sharma told Star Sports ahead of the game.

India and New Zealand are the only two teams who have won all the matches they have played so far in the tournament. Considering the net run rate (NRR), the Tom Latham-led side are currently sitting top of the ODI World Cup points table.

The Men in Blue have a 58-50 head-to-head record against the Kiwis in the ODI format. However, it is worth noting that New Zealand have been at their best against India at the ICC events. Notably, India have not overcome the BlackCaps in an ICC event in the past 20 years after their win in the 2003 World Cup.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Points Table

India suffered a major blow as they will miss the services of their star all-rounder Hardik Pandya who sustained an ankle injury during the previous game against Bangladesh in Pune. The Men in Blue are likely to bring in Mohammed Shami in place of Hardik. New Zealand, on the other hand, once again misses regular skipper Kane Williamson due to his thumb injury.