World Cup 2023: India vs New Zealand, Semi-Finals – Team News, Probable Playing XI and more

November 14, 2023November 14, 2023 Omar

In preparation for the World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, Ishan Kishan effortlessly dispatched close-range deliveries hurled by a team support staff member. Virat Kohli faced a perplexing delivery from Ravichandran Ashwin, leaving him impressed. Even during optional training sessions with non-regular players, India maintained a strong presence. Rohit Sharma’s team, with a streak of victories, has displayed a dominant character, causing unease among their supporters. From peaking early to defending targets, breaching the 350-mark with the bat, and bowling out opponents for double-digit totals, India navigated challenges, including the absence of Hardik Pandya. Amidst public expectations, they remained clinical.

New Zealand, despite a less seamless journey, secured a World Cup semifinal spot for the ninth time, defying the odds. As they face India at Wankhede Stadium, they stand as equals, ready to embrace the underdog tag. The pressure lies on India, while New Zealand focuses on meticulous preparations and one-percenters to create sparks on the field. The match in Mumbai presents India with an opportunity to break their knockout jinx and erase the memory of Manchester. The Wankhede Stadium, with its true bouncing pitch, suggests a great chasing ground, although defending teams have dominated in this World Cup. Both teams will aim to capitalize on the conditions and scoreboard pressure.

Venue: Wankhade Stadium, Mumbai

Probably Playing XIs

India Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand Probable XI: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wk), Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson

What they said:

“I think we’ll be inauthentic if we say that it’s just another game. Yes, of course it’s a semi-final but I think our processes and what we’ve done in the lead-up to each and every game is not going to change. We do recognise that it is an important game, it is a knockout game, we have to accept the fact that there is going to be a certain amount of pressure but I think the way we have responded to the pressure so far gives us a lot of belief and a lot of confidence.” – Rahul Dravid on the occasion of a World Cup knockout.

“Yeah, yeah, an interesting journey for sure, from sort of it not being a chance to getting close and it becoming a reality and something to target, and certainly feeling really grateful to be here. And then to get back and then break my thumb [laughs]. It’s not funny. No, it was quite frustrating and testing but still feeling that it hadn’t ruled me out so I still was grateful for that and it’s nice to be fitter than perhaps I was yesterday and be sitting here. So personally, it’s great to be here and it’s nice to be a part of this tournament. These tournaments are special and world events in India certainly add to that.” – Kane Williamson reflects on his journey before and during this tournament leading into another knockout appearance.

Squads:

New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham(w), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Will Young, Ish Sodhi, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson

India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin

For other World Cup news/stats:

Probably Playing XIs

What they said:

Squads:

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