In a peculiar turn of events on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand, former captain Mushfiqur Rahim secured an unusual place in Bangladesh cricket history. The 36-year-old cricketer found himself becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to be declared out for ‘obstructing the field.’ The incident unfolded when Rahim, facing a delivery from New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson in the 41st over, defended a rising ball. In an attempt to fend off a wide delivery outside the off stump, Rahim extended his right hand. The Black Caps promptly appealed, leading the on-field umpires to refer the matter to TV umpire Ahsan Raza, who ultimately ruled Rahim out.

This dismissal falls under Law 37.1.2, stating that a striker is out obstructing the field if, in the act of receiving the ball, they willfully strike the ball with a hand not holding the bat. The alteration in cricket laws in 2017 reclassified such dismissals from “handled the ball” to “obstructing the field.”

Notably, the last instance of a batter being given out ‘handling the ball’ was former England captain Michael Vaughan against India in 2001. Rahim, Bangladesh’s top-scorer in the match with his 35 off 83 balls, played a pivotal role despite the team being bundled out for 172 in 67 overs. The hosts had previously clinched victory in the first Test in Sylhet by 150 runs.

Australia reaffirmed their cricket supremacy by securing their sixth Cricket World Cup title, defeating India by six wickets in the highly anticipated final. Travis Head’s stellar performance, coupled with disciplined bowling, brought an end to India’s unbeaten streak in the tournament.

As champions, Australia claimed a substantial prize of USD 4 million, leaving India with USD 2 million as the runners-up. The significance of reaching the semi-finals was reflected in the prize money, with South Africa and New Zealand each receiving USD 800,000. The remaining six teams, unable to progress to the semi-finals, were awarded USD 100,000 each.

Top 4 Teams’ Winnings in Cricket World Cup 2023

• Australia (7 wins in the group stage): USD 4.28 Million
• India (9 wins in the group stage): USD 2.36 Million
• South Africa (7 wins in the group stage): USD 1.08 Million
• New Zealand (5 wins in the group stage): USD 1 Million

Australia’s Precision and Ruthless Execution

Australia’s triumph showcased meticulous planning and ruthless execution as they successfully chased down 241 runs in just 43 overs. Travis Head’s outstanding innings of 137 runs off 120 balls once again proved to be a thorn in India’s side.

Just before the highly anticipated Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final clash between India and New Zealand, a storm of controversy swept through the cricketing realm, accusing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of a last-minute pitch alteration. Speculation suggested that India might have tweaked the pitch to tip the scales in their favor. When questioned about this in the post-match press conference, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson downplayed the entire discourse.

During the presser, Williamson acknowledged the use of a previously played wicket but emphasized its quality, expressing no objections from the New Zealand side.

“Well, yes, it was a used wicket, but honestly, it provided a good surface, as we witnessed. They gained a lot from it in the first half of the match. Conditions tend to shift, especially under lights, as we’ve observed throughout this competition. It’s part of the game and they played exceptionally well. It’s disappointing not to progress further at this stage, but at the same time, you reflect on the seven weeks rather than a couple of isolated moments, and we lost to a superior side,” he responded to a reporter’s inquiry.

Furthermore, Williamson praised India as ‘the best team in the world,’ expressing confidence in their performance heading into the final.

“They’re the best team in the world and they’re all at the top of their game, so it’s tough. In cricket, failure often surrounds the narrative, and it’s about how you cope with it. Their incredible performances throughout this tournament have been consistent. They haven’t missed a beat, and entering a semi-final, you go through your round-robin, and it starts anew. The way they approached and played in this match demonstrates the mindset and form they’re in. I have no doubt they’ll enter the next match brimming with confidence,” stated the Kiwi skipper.

Rohit Sharma’s Team India is set to face Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ODI World Cup 2023 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The history between these teams in knockout stages adds an extra layer of anticipation.

While the ‘Men in Blue’ have lost their last four knockout matches against the Kiwis across formats, New Zealand has faced elimination by a host nation in the last three ODI World Cups. One of those streaks is bound to break in this crucial encounter at the iconic Mumbai stadium.

Mohammed Shami’s Dominance: In terms of current players, Mohammed Shami has been a standout performer, claiming 30 wickets in 13 matches against New Zealand with an economy rate of 6.8.

Kuldeep Yadav’s Impact: Kuldeep Yadav follows closely with 19 wickets in 10 matches and an economy rate of 5.74 against Kane Williamson’s side.

Bumrah’s Precision: Jasprit Bumrah, a vital asset, has bagged 14 wickets in 12 matches with an impressive economy rate of 4.69 against New Zealand.

Jadeja’s All-Round Prowess: Ravindra Jadeja, with eight wickets in 13 matches and an economic rate of 5.13, adds an all-round dimension to the bowling attack.

Hosts India have been in top form, maintaining a flawless nine-game winning streak. Rohit Sharma’s team finished the league stage at the summit of the ODI World Cup 2023 standings with 18 points and an impressive net run rate of 2.570.

India’s opponent, New Zealand, secured the fourth spot on the points table after a hard-fought league stage. ‘Men in Blue’ concluded the round with a commanding 160-run victory over the Dutch side, preserving their unbeaten record.

As India faces a semi-final challenge, their performance in significant competitions over the last decade will be closely scrutinized. The upcoming clash in Mumbai promises to be a monumental test for Rohit Sharma’s side.

In the buildup to the much-anticipated World Cup semi-final clash between New Zealand and India at Wankhede, the esteemed commentator Harsha Bhogle is raising eyebrows over the Kiwis’ bowling strategy. Bhogle is notably concerned about the absence of a fifth bowler in their playing XI, pointing out potential vulnerabilities in their approach.

Despite the presence of a potent pace trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson, coupled with the skills of accomplished spinner Mitchell Santner, Bhogle questions whether this combination alone is robust enough. He specifically queries the feasibility of relying on all-rounders Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra to deliver 10 overs of bowling.

“Santner is performing admirably, but do they truly have a fifth bowler? That could be a chink in their armor, and there seem to be a few weaknesses in their side. New Zealand has faced numerous setbacks in this World Cup, especially with their beloved captain Kane Williamson. Perhaps, this upcoming match could be the turning point—only time will tell,” remarked Bhogle in the ICC Review Podcast.

Adding a layer of intrigue, Bhogle highlights a statistical quirk: throughout the World Cup, New Zealand failed to secure a single victory against the other three teams qualifying for the semi-final stage. However, he drew a parallel to their journey to the 2019 World Cup, where they didn’t triumph against the semi-finalists but emerged victorious against India.

Introduced as the illusive “X-Factor,” Bhogle raises the possibility that the Blackcaps are lacking that one unique component needed to succeed. Drawing a comparison to a top-four EPL premiership side, he likens them to an Arsenal under Arsene Wenger—competent up to a certain point but possibly lacking that unique spark.

Expressing a mix of skepticism and optimism, Bhogle contemplates New Zealand’s journey, acknowledging their competence to reach the semi-finals and the final. But he feels they could need a burst of creativity, something they might have lacked at pivotal times throughout the years.

The squads for India and New Zealand are revealed as the sides prepare for the match; they include important players who will probably be crucial to what looks to be an exciting match at Wankhede.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c),  Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Prasidh Krishna, Suryakumar Yadav.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young

Two notable alterations to the Indian cricket team’s composition aroused eyebrows as they prepared to play New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup 2023. Upon winning the coin toss, Captain Rohit Sharma disclosed that the upcoming World Cup match would mark Mohammed Shami’s World Cup debut and Suryakumar Yadav’s inaugural appearance in an ODI World Cup.

A rather unconventional decision by the Indian team management left cricket enthusiasts intrigued. Opting to bench Shardul Thakur due to Hardik Pandya’s injury, the team now lack a pace-bowling all-rounder. Instead, they headed to the pitch with just five bowling options. Given the formidable form displayed by New Zealand’s batters in the tournament, this strategic shift raised questions about its potential risks.

After winning the toss, Rohit Sharma shared:

“We’ll bowl first. No particular reason, but we were training here yesterday and noticed a bit of dew coming in. The pitch appears promising, and we are confident in our chasing abilities. It’s crucial to maintain our momentum, irrespective of past results. This is a place everyone wants to play at, with its beautiful weather and stunning stadium. Unfortunately, Hardik is unavailable, as is Shardul. We have Shami and Surya in the squad.”

Tom Latham, serving as New Zealand’s stand-in captain for the match, expressed his inclination to bowl first as well. He noted,

“We would have chosen to bowl first too. The surface looks good, and we anticipate dew later on. Our focus is on performing well regardless of the chosen strategy. We find ourselves in a new ground with unfamiliar conditions, so adapting quickly is our priority. Our lineup remains unchanged for today, featuring three seamers and two spinners.”

India Playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (c)
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul (w)
Suryakumar Yadav
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand Playing XI:

Devon Conway
Will Young
Rachin Ravindra
Daryl Mitchell
Tom Latham (w/c)
Glenn Phillips
Mark Chapman
Mitchell Santner
Matt Henry
Lockie Ferguson
Trent Boult

Afghan head coach Jonathan Trott was furious following his team’s disastrous World Cup performance, blaming poor fielding for the team’s downfall. Afghanistan lost by 149 runs against New Zealand. During the Chepauk showdown, the Afghan fielders put down a staggering five catches, granting a significant advantage to Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips, who capitalized on the reprieves, crafting a formidable 144-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

At a press conference following the game, Trott expressed his dissatisfaction by stating,

“I would say that’s not the pressure.” In my opinion, it has also been occurring far too frequently since I took over.”

Trott further explained,

“When you consider the statistics, it is unfortunate that our team ranks at the bottom in terms of catching. So, that needs to improve. I believe we’ve put a lot of effort into it throughout training. Now we simply need to execute it during the actual games.”

Nonetheless, Trott acknowledged the Black Caps’ resilience in the face of adversity. He commended Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips for their impressive performance:

“I think they (Latham and Phillips) played well. But credit must have gone the way they held the innings together because it could have got a lot worse for them. They stabilized the situation and managed to reach a total that could be defended.”

Referring to Rashid Khan’s role in the power play, Trott explained:

“Well, we were just waiting until the state of the ball…when Rashid feels like he can grip it because he obviously needs to spin it both ways and when the ball is not as new and not as slippery.”

Trott expressed his satisfaction with the overall bowling performance.

“Our bowling effort, in my opinion, was excellent since we successfully restrained and restricted their scoring possibilities. However, the game took a different turn when Azmat entered the scene and took two wickets in a single over, altering the course of the game. And then, Rash (Rashid) got a wicket for himself.”

Trott emphasized that despite the wicket playing slowly, it wasn’t a low-scoring pitch.

Challenging Conditions

“”I personally didn’t perceive it as a pitch where the total score would be around 130 runs and all the batsmen would be dismissed. Yes, it did spin a little bit more towards the end. I still feel like we were taking the spinners for nearly five, six and over.”

Pressure in the First Power Play

“The New Zealand seamers were the ones who caused all the trouble for us. By the end of the first power play, we were 28 for 2. When you’re chasing a target of 280, this puts a significant amount of pressure on lower-order players,” he concluded.