India vs New Zealand: Men in Blue extending streak and other things to look forward to in semi-final

We’re into the final week of the 13th edition of the ICC World Cup and the stage is set for the first of the knockout matches, with hosts India taking on New Zealand in the first semi-final on Wednesday in Mumbai. India have been the team to beat in this World Cup; from the time they recovered from an early wobble to defeat Australia by six wickets, the Men in Blue have looked nothing short of dominant.

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With nine wins in as many outings, which included victories of 302 and 243-run margins against Sri Lanka and South Africa respectively, the Rohit Sharma-led side sure have underlined their credentials as the tearaway title favourites.

New Zealand had started off on a similar note, winning each of their first four matches that included a nine-wicket hammering of England in Dharamsala, only to suffer as many defeats.

They were staring at the possibility of being overtaken by Pakistan to the fourth and final semi-final spot when a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a chase that was completed in 23.2 overs allowed them to surge ahead. As a result, the Black Caps find themselves in the semis for the fifth time in six World Cup editions.

IND vs NZ preview: A chance for Rohit’s men to wipe away unhappy memories

Ahead of the blockbuster clash at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, we take a look at five things to look forward to:

Virat Kohli’s going past Sachin Tendulkar

Virat had missed on the opportunity to break his childhood idol’s record at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, his adopted home ground, during the match against the Netherlands on Sunday. He had barely brought up his half-century when he was cleaned up by Roelof van der Merwe, resulting in a hushed silence at the Chinnaswamy.

The nation once again will be waiting with bated breath once Kohli makes his way to the centre during Wednesday’s semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Sachin Tendulkar’s home ground, where he will attempt to surpass the ‘Master Blaster’ and become the first batter to 50 ODI centuries. And with Tendulkar likely in attendance both for the semi-final as well as in the final, it will be even more fitting for Kohli to achieve the milestone in the presence of the man himself.

India going 10-0, ending a jinx against Kiwis

India were among the strong title favourites heading into the tournament. With nine wins in as many matches during the league stage, India certainly have lived up to that billing. In the process, the Rohit Sharma-led side broke a record of their own — the most consecutive matches won by India in a single World Cup edition.

They had won eight under Sourav Ganguly’s leadership two decades ago, and now Rohit and Co will be hoping to make it 10-0 and move within a step of the all-time record — 11 by Australia in 2003 and 2007.

IND vs NZ: India up against poor ICC events record vs New Zealand

India will also be hoping to snap a jinx come Wednesday, that of not having defeated New Zealand in an ICC knockout match. India had lost the final of the 2000 Champions Trophy, the semi-final of the previous World Cup in Manchester as well as the inaugural World Test Championship final. They’ll be hoping to end that long wait this time around.

India reaching its first World Cup final in 12 years

A victory for India on Wednesday will end another long wait for the Indian team — that of reaching its first ICC World Cup final in 12 years. They had defeated Pakistan in a politically-charged semi-final in Mohali in 2011 to enter the final in Mumbai, where they would go on to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets. They would, however, lose the next two — against eventual champions Australia in 2015 in Sydney and runners-up New Zealand in 2019 in Manchester.

World Cup: India ending ICC knockout jinx and other records that can be broken

They have not reached the final of a T20 World Cup either since their defeat against Sri Lanka in 2014, and are without a major ICC title for a decade now.

Kane Williamson facing India for the first time in 2023

Wednesday’s fixture will also be Kane Williamson’s first against India this year. The New Zealand captain had been rested for the white-ball tour of India in January and February and would suffer a knee injury during the opening game of this year’s IPL in Ahmedabad, which would put him out of action until the warm-up fixtures ahead of the World Cup.

Just when Williamson had regained complete fitness and made his comeback in the match against Bangladesh, he was struck on his left thumb after coming in the way of a throw to the non-striker’s end while attempting a run. It would force him to miss the next four games, including the match against India in Dharamsala.

Williamson certainly knows a thing or two about facing India in a high-intensity game; he had scored a crucial 67 in the 2019 semi-final in Manchester, stitching important partnerships with Henry Nicholls (28) and Ross Taylor (74) and helping the Kiwis post what would prove to be a winning total.

Mumbai boys shining at the Wankhede

Wednesday’s semi-final will also be India’s second outing at the Wankhede Stadium, the first time they will be returning to a venue in the ongoing World Cup. They had played at nine different venues during the group stage and weren’t sure of where they would be playing their semi-final until New Zealand edged Pakistan out, confirming Wankhede as the venue.

And while the crowd will no doubt be waiting eagerly for Kohli to bring up a special ’50’, they will also be hoping for the Mumbaikars to shine at their home venue. Especially skipper Rohit, who had been cleaned up by a Dilshan Madushanka in-swinger after collecting a boundary off his first delivery in the match against Sri Lanka.

Suryakumar Yadav too had arrived with the crowd chanting his name but was caught behind after collecting a couple of boundaries. Shreyas Iyer was the only local lad who impressed that day with his explosive 82 off 56. Given the rich vein of form that he currently finds himself in, he might very well back himself to produce another big knock.