In the much-anticipated 1st Semi-Final of the ICC World Cup 2023, Rohit Sharma’s India won the toss and opted to bat against New Zealand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The clash promises high-intensity action as both teams remain unchanged for this crucial encounter.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill kicked off India’s innings on a positive note, displaying their prowess against New Zealand’s lead pacers with a flurry of boundaries. India, currently the highest-ranked side in the ICC World Cup points table with an unbeaten streak of 9 wins, is eyeing another dominant performance.
However, memories of the 2019 World Cup semi-final loom large as India faces defeat against the Kiwis. Despite being the highest-ranked side then, India succumbed to New Zealand by 18 runs. This time, the Men in Blue aim to rewrite history and secure a spot in the final.
India’s exceptional performance in the tournament has been marked by a balanced team, showcasing strength in both pace and spin departments. The lethal pace attack featuring Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj has garnered attention, complemented by spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, who have been effective in dismantling oppositions.
On the other side, New Zealand remains unfazed by the big names in India’s playing XI. The Kiwis, known for their consistent performance, rely on skipper Kane Williamson and the talented Rachin Ravindra to anchor their batting lineup.
As the cricketing world awaits the outcome of this intense clash, the Indian and New Zealand squads showcase top-tier talent. Fans can expect a riveting battle as both sides vie for a coveted spot in the ICC World Cup 2023 final.
The squads for the encounter are as follows:
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Prasidh Krishna, Suryakumar Yadav.
New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
For those eager to catch the action, the match will be broadcast live on Star Sports channels, with live streaming available on the Disney+Hotstar app and website. Additionally, Meta’s collaboration with ICC brings World Cup 2023 coverage on Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Threads, offering fans multiple platforms to stay connected with the tournament.
