In a thrilling encounter, India and New Zealand are set to face off in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 first semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on November 15, kicking off at 2:00 PM IST.

The high-soaring Indian cricket team wrapped up the league stage with a resounding 160-run victory over the Netherlands, maintaining a flawless record of nine wins out of nine in the ODI World Cup. Yet, their next hurdle is none other than New Zealand, a formidable adversary that has consistently challenged the Men in Blue over the years.

While New Zealand’s initial four victories showcased their World Cup prowess, four subsequent losses temporarily dimmed their shine. However, a crucial win against Sri Lanka in their final league match secured their spot in the semi-finals. The Kiwis are primed to give their best for a third consecutive appearance in the ODI World Cup final.

History Haunts India
Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid lead India with a shadow of history hanging over them. The haunting memory of the 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat against New Zealand, resulting in India’s exit, remains a cause for concern. The Kiwis have consistently proven to be India’s nemesis, and as the team gears up for the clash, the weight of this past history is likely to play on their minds.

Knockout Woes
India, with a fourth consecutive appearance in the ODI World Cup semi-finals, face the challenge of overcoming recent knockout setbacks. The pressure associated with these crucial matches, coupled with the memory of the 2022 T20 World Cup exit, might impact the team’s performance against a determined New Zealand.

Right vs. Left Conundrum
India’s unchanged right-handed batting lineup, including stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, faces a potential challenge against New Zealand’s left-arm duo, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner. Boult, in particular, has troubled Sharma with ODIs. With Santner’s prowess against right-handers, India’s composition might pose a challenge in the semi-finals, while New Zealand’s mix of right and left-handed batters could exploit this imbalance with strategic strike rotations.

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