India dropped four regular members for the first two matches against AustraliaIndia now looks ahead to their last and final practice for the ODI World Cup at home as they take on five-time champions Australia in a three-match series beginning September 22 after their perfectly timed Asia Cup title haul in Colombo on Sunday, where they defeated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets. The selection committee made up to four changes, when most people would have anticipated India to remain the same save for that one injury issue involving Axar Patel.Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector for the BCCI, read out the roster for the three-match home series against Pat Cummins' team virtually the day after India's Asia Cup victory. India selected a 15-member team for the opening two games and a 17-member team for the championship match.India lost four regular players for the first two games in Baroda on September 27, while the selectors only recruited two additional players to their 15-member World Cup team for the final match. The squad was without Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma for the first two games.Responding to a question from the press, Agarkar revealed: "Few of the players have been given a breather. Rohit has taken a break.""Luckily we got a fair amount of cricket at the Asia Cup," Agarkar added. "If not, we would've looked at it some other way. More than physical, sometimes guys need a mental break, which isn't a bad thing leading into a tournament like the World Cup."For the third game, everyone will be available. We will play our World Cup squad. This [squad for the first two ODIs] gives us a chance to give guys sitting outside a chance. It's still a strong squad. Like I said, if we hadn't got a lot of cricket at the Asia Cup, who knows, we may have thought differently."Rohit and Kohli had both been rested for the West Indies ODI series and had only returned to the set-up in the Asia Cup. In a bid to test India's bench strength, both had relinquished their original batting spot in the first ODI match against West Indies before being rested for the second and third game. They had later missed the T20I contest and the tour of Ireland as well.In fact, Hardik led India in place of Rohit in the last two ODIs. Hardik has participated in every ODI match against the West Indies. While both were resting for the Ireland tour, Kuldeep also participated in the competition.In the first two games against Australia, KL Rahul will serve as the captain and Ravindra Jadeja as his backup. Tilak Varma and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been chosen for the first two games, and they will both be heading the Indian team at the Asian Games later this month.Also Read: Top 10 fantasy cricket websites in india
The World Cup will be staged in India for the first time in 12 years, and Dil Jashn Bole brilliantly captures the happiness, laughter, and excitement that the occasion promises to bring to all of us.Dil Jashn Bole, the forthcoming World Cup's official theme song, was presented by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday. This year's World Cup will be held in India.Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh plays the major part in the music video, which was created by Pritam as a celebration of cricket and India. A number of other well-known celebrities and content creators are also featured, including choreographer and Yuzvendra Chahal's wife Dhanashree Verma.The World Cup will be staged in India for the first time in 12 years, and Dil Jashn Bole brilliantly captures the happiness, laughter, and excitement that the occasion promises to bring to all of us. The song, which was composed by Shloke Lal and Saaveri Verma, was performed by a number of singers, including Nakash Aziz, Sreerama Chandra, Amit Mishra, Jonita Gandhi, AKASA, and Charan. The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is expected to be the biggest Cricket World Cup ever, with hundreds of millions of fans around the world ready to be a part of it, according to Claire Furlong, the ICC General Manager, Marketing and Communications, in a Star Sports announcement on the release of the song.He remarked that we are eager for the world to hear the song since it so admirably captures India's fire and enthusiasm as well as that of the supporters who will make this event so memorable. He advised people to listen to the song right away and create their own hook-step after it was released since this World Cup will place fans in the middle of the action and the anthem would make them feel more involved in the game than before.In Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, the 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand will be reenacted on October 5 and the World Cup final will occur on Sunday, November 19, also in the same venue.Also Read: Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya set to miss first 2 odis against Australia
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 ShortIndia have lost 9 matches out of 14 games to New Zealand in ICC white-ball eventsIndia have not beaten New Zealand in an ICC knockout match so farIndia will head into the semi-finals of the World Cup as firm favouritesIndia appears unbeatable in the home World Cup. Despite facing criticism leading up to the marquee event, the team has responded like champions, securing victories in all nine matches during the league stage. There's a strong possibility that India could emulate Australia's success in 2003 and 2007 by finishing the World Cup campaign undefeated.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 TOURNAMENTS1975 World Cup: India lost by 4 wickets in Manchester1979 World Cup: India lost by 8 wickets in Leeds1987 World Cup: India won by 16 runs in Bengaluru1987 World Cup: India won by 9 wickets in Nagpur1992 World Cup: India lost by 4 wickets in Dunedin1999 World Cup: India lost by 5 wickets in Nottingham2000 Champions Trophy: India lost by 4 wickets in Nairobi (Final)2003 World Cup: India won by 7 wickets in Centurion2007 T20 World Cup: India lost by 10 runs n Johannesburg2016 T20 World Cup: India lost by 47 runs in Nagpur2019 World Cup: No result2019 World Cup: Lost by 18 runs in Manchester (semi-final)2021 T20 World Cup: Lost by 8 wickets in Dubai2023 World Cup: Won by 4 wickets in DharamsalaIndia 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. Also Read: Top 10 longest crickter six
