New Delhi. The Indian cricket team has performed brilliantly so far in the ICC ODI World Cup. They entered the semi-finals after winning all their matches in the league stage. Team India is the only team in this World Cup which has not lost a single match so far. India have defeated all three other teams that reached the semi-finals. Virat Kohli’s bat has been buzzing this season but his record in the last three semi-finals is frightening.
Team India’s performance in the ICC ODI World Cup being played in India has been such that the opposing teams have not been able to stand up to it. Captain Rohit Sharma has a strong attack in the top order and then Virat Kohli in the middle order takes away the power of the bowlers. Both of them are among the list of Indian veteran batsmen who have scored the most runs this year. Virat Kohli has scored two centuries and is currently on top.
Virat’s biggest challenge in the semi-finals
Virat Kohli’s performance in the last three consecutive ICC ODI World Cups has been abysmal. The veteran could not reach double figures in the 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cups as well. Last time India had to exit after losing against New Zealand when Virat managed to score only 1 run with his bat. Even in 2015, only 1 run was made with his bat, while in 2015, Virat got out after scoring 9 runs.
Who was the call for Virat in the semi-final?
The last three World Cup semi-finals have been very poor for Virat Kohli. In his first mega semi-final against Pakistan, he was dismissed by Wahab Riaz for 9 runs. In the 2015 World Cup semi-final against Australia, Mitchell Johnson was sent back for 1 run when he managed just 1 run off New Zealand’s Trent Boult last time out. Virat Kohli’s wicket was taken by the left-arm fast bowler on all these three occasions. This time also Trent Boult will face him in the semi-finals. This veteran has to overcome this weakness and proceed with caution.
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Tags: India vs New Zealand, Trent Bolt, Virat Kohli, World Cup 2023
First published: November 13, 2023, 19:54 IST