How to stop the Indian juggernaut? Ahead of India’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, this question seems to have become a bigger puzzle than a complex mathematical equation for the rest of the teams. The five frontline bowlers are relentless and skillful. The batting unit is notching up tall scores. More importantly, starting with Rohit Sharma at the top, they are playing with a touch of bravado and intent.
Just to illustrate the point about India’s dominance, they have batted first four times in the tournament so far, scoring over 300 on three occasions. The only time they didn’t do that was on a tricky deck against England in Lucknow. In the other five games, India have chased down targets quite comfortably. Although in their opening match against Australia, they were in some early trouble.
Four out of India’s top six batters are averaging over 40. So, the onus now isn’t just on Virat Kohli or Rohit to do most of the heavy-lifting. KL Rahul, batting at No 5, has turned out to be the cornerstone of India’s middle-order. To make it even better, his wicketkeeping has been quite good too.
On the bowling side of things, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav have accounted for a whopping 75 wickets combined. Bumrah hasn’t just taken wickets at different phases, but has also been instrumental in building pressure with a stream of dot balls.
Perhaps there is no escape route against this Indian side? New Zealand, however, would believe they can sneak one past India and reach their third consecutive 50-over World Cup final. They did it four years ago in Manchester. One of the chief architects of that win — Matt Henry — is out injured. New Zealand still have enough resources to pose a threat at a ground where the ball has seamed and swung in the second innings.
Trent Boult and Tim Southee are the two established names in the New Zealand pace attack. Boult seemed to be in good rhythm in practice sessions. New Zealand can also look at picking Kyle Jamieson instead of an extra batter. Despite being a very tall bowler, Jamieson prefers to go fuller and has found prodigious swing and seam movement with the red Kookaburra ball in the longest format.
With Kane Williamson returning from injury to captain the side, and the likes of Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra in fine form, New Zealand have most of the bases covered in the batting department. For a country with a population of 51.2 lakh, New Zealand have done some remarkable things in the cricketing world. Can they upset the applecart and beat India in their own den? On paper, it feels like conquering Mount Everest, but there is no harm in dreaming.
Time and Venue Details
India versus New Zealand. 2 PM. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Expected conditions
Around dusk time, the ball has swung and seamed at the Wankhede in this World Cup. Probably some indirect factor is coming into play. Maybe it has something to do with the ground’s proximity to the Arabian Sea? The track, however, is set to be on the slower side. The weather forecast looks clear for the day. The humidity could be on the higher side.
Possible XIs
India: The hosts are set to continue with the winning combination.
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
New Zealand: Lockie Ferguson has been managing an Achilles issue. But the New Zealand management is confident that he would be fit to play. It seems unlikely that New Zealand would shuffle much with the side for the crucial clash, but Jamieson is ideally suited to the kind of conditions we have seen under lights at the Wankhede in this World Cup.
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
Match-ups
Kohli and Rohit versus Boult would be a contest to watch out for. Also, Rohit going up against Southee’s three-quarter seam ball could be an interesting battle. In India’s last game against Netherlands, Kohli was castled by Roelof van der Merwe’s arm-ball. So, would Mitchell Santner trouble the fulcrum of the Indian batting line-up? The one point in Kohli’s favour is Santner’s release point is higher when compared to Van der Merwe. So, it could be easier for Kohli to play him on the back foot.
Incidentally, Kohli looked to simulate for the challenges he would face from Boult and Santner by playing against local bowlers in the practice session.
Teams Speak
We have bowled and batted first and won, we have covered every bit of it. We understand the importance of this week but we will not do anything different
Rohit Sharma, India captain.
The underdog thing, from what you guys write, I do not think it has changed too much, but that is fine you know, and India have been exceptional
Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain.