World Cup 2023: India have not beaten New Zealand in a knockout game in any ICC event. Rohit Sharma's men face a stiff test against the BlackCaps when the two sides meet in the first semi-finals on Wednesday in Mumbai.
In Short
- India have lost 9 matches out of 14 games to New Zealand in ICC white-ball events
- India have not beaten New Zealand in an ICC knockout match so far
- India will head into the semi-finals of the World Cup as firm favourites
Everything seems to be clicking at the right time for India. Rohit Sharma has led from the front in a sensational campaign as captain, and more importantly, as a ruthless opening batter. Virat Kohli has piled up the runs, scoring 594 in 9 matches. The middle-order, unlike 2019, is looking strong with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul among the runs.
The absence of Hardik Pandya has not induced panic; instead, it has brought more clarity to the team regarding player roles. They have opted for a strategy of playing with five frontline bowlers, incorporating all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. India's bowling unit has performed exceptionally well, with Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj causing havoc for the opposition teams. The spin duo of Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav has further showcased their mastery in the art of spin bowling.
However, India have to start afresh on Wednesday when they face New Zealand in the semi-finals at the Wankhede Stadium. Yes, Rohit Sharma's men have the advantage of playing in front of a packed crowd, but history doesn't favor the Men In Blue.
India and New Zealand have played each other 13 times in ICC events in white-ball cricket, but they have managed just 4 victories. Yes, India defeated New Zealand in Dharamsala a couple of weeks ago but it was the BlackCaps that gave India their toughest test in their dominant run in the league stage.
Not many would have forgotten the 2019 World Cup semi-finals. India headed into the semi-finals in Manchester after having topped the league stage. And New Zealand, much like 2023, sneaked through to the semi-finals at the 4th spot. However, Kane Williamson and his men battled past a Virat Kohli-led side into the final.
New Zealand did not do anything extraordinary. Like always, they did the basics right. Reading the pitch wonderfully well, New Zealand posted 239 on the board after winning the toss and opted to bat. Despite the game slipping into the Reserve Day due to rain, New Zealand kept their nerves under check and perfectly executed their bowling plans against India.
India's top-order was blown away as Matt Henry and Trent Boult ran riot in overcast conditions. India slipped to 5 for 3 after losing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul for 1 each. Ravindra Jadeja battled hard with 77 and MS Dhoni nearly pulled it off with a 50 but the former captain's heartbreaking run-out sealed the deal - an 18-run win for New Zealand.
In the other knockout match that India and New Zealand have played in an ICC tournament (white-ball), New Zealand successfully chased 265 against a Sourav Ganguly-led side in Nairobi.
New Zealand, led by Stephen Fleming, won the toss and opted to field. India rode on a 117 from Sourav Ganguly and 69 from sachin Tendulkar to post 264. The total could have been much more but India collapsed from 202 for 1, losing their last 5 wickets for just 62 runs.
India's bowling attack, led by Venkatesh Prasad, got the early wickets but a sensational 102 not out from all-rounder Chris Cairns helped New Zealand win the ICC Knockout trophy.
IND vs NZ in ICC WHITE-BALL TOURNAMENTS
- 1975 World Cup: India lost by 4 wickets in Manchester
- 1979 World Cup: India lost by 8 wickets in Leeds
- 1987 World Cup: India won by 16 runs in Bengaluru
- 1987 World Cup: India won by 9 wickets in Nagpur
- 1992 World Cup: India lost by 4 wickets in Dunedin
- 1999 World Cup: India lost by 5 wickets in Nottingham
- 2000 Champions Trophy: India lost by 4 wickets in Nairobi (Final)
- 2003 World Cup: India won by 7 wickets in Centurion
- 2007 T20 World Cup: India lost by 10 runs n Johannesburg
- 2016 T20 World Cup: India lost by 47 runs in Nagpur
- 2019 World Cup: No result
- 2019 World Cup: Lost by 18 runs in Manchester (semi-final)
- 2021 T20 World Cup: Lost by 8 wickets in Dubai
- 2023 World Cup: Won by 4 wickets in Dharamsala
India will certainly head into the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup as favourites but count New Zealand out at your own peril. The BlackCaps have not had a dominant run in the World Cup as they lost 4 matches on the trot before beating Sri Lanka in a must-win game to qualify for the semi-finals. However, they will be prepared to hand India another tough challenge.
