New Delhi. The World Cup 2023 semi-final lineup has been decided. India will face New Zealand in the first semi-final. South Africa will face Australia in the second semi-final. The New Zealand team made it to the semi-finals by falling. In such a situation, it is possible that the Kiwi team is in a panic for the first semi-final. Reason- New Zealand is competing with Team India. Whenever there is a match in India, Team India makes New Zealand panic like a wet cat. New Zealand’s figures are similar to those in India, which can hardly inspire confidence in Kane Williamson about the win.
The first semi-final of the World Cup 2023 is scheduled to be held on November 15 between India and New Zealand. So far 117 ODI matches have been played between India and New Zealand. Out of which 59 have been won by India and 50 by New Zealand. It means that India dominates New Zealand, but it doesn’t matter that much if one’s side is one-sided. But this is only one side of the coin. The second aspect is very scary for the New Zealand team, which they will not want to miss. Another aspect is New Zealand’s performance in India.
Now let’s talk about this other side of the coin. New Zealand have played a total of 39 matches against India in India so far and have won only 8 of them. When India won 30 matches. One match was cancelled. Looking at the figures since January 2000, New Zealand’s performance is equally poor. A total of 20 matches were played between India and New Zealand in India since 2000. New Zealand managed to win only 4 of these matches while India won 15. One match was cancelled.
It is clear that when matches are held in India, New Zealand’s position against the host team becomes slimmer. Before the start of World Cup 2023, ODI matches between India and New Zealand were held in Hyderabad, Raipur and Indore. New Zealand was defeated in all three. That too when India’s star cricketers Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were out of the team due to injuries. After this, both the teams met in Dharamshala in the World Cup and India won the match easily. That means India has won all the four matches played in 2023.
So can the Indian team take New Zealand lightly? The answer is – absolutely not. First, in cricket any team can beat anyone else. In this World Cup, Netherlands defeated South Africa and Afghanistan defeated Pakistan and England. Sometimes a single player can topple an entire team – as Glenn Maxwell’s innings proved. In such a situation, India will also have to face New Zealand with full strength and vigilance. Cricket lovers will not forget the match on January 18 in which Shubman Gill scored a double century. In this match, India scored 349 runs and in reply the New Zealand team reached 337 runs.
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Tags: Pal of pride, India vs New Zealand, Team India, World Cup 2023
First published: November 11, 2023, 08:11 IST