ICC World Cup 2023, Semi-Finals IND vs NZ | 5 Player Battles To Watch Out For

image-loxus9saIndia defeated New Zealand at Dharamshala earlier [X.com]

The business end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 begins with India taking on New Zealand in the first semi-final on Wednesday at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The journey for both teams in the World Cup have poles apart, while India have been dominant all across the tournament, New Zealand suffered a sight blip in the middle and managed to pull themselves back and qualify for the knockouts.

The last time these two rivals met in Dharamshala, the group encounter became a thrilling affair, where Rohit Sharma and Co. prevailed by four wickets.

For India, it has been their cohesiveness across departments that has been the highlight, with batters scoring big runs and bowlers clinching wickets at will, making them a dangerous prospect to face. 

Despite injury troubles, the New Zealand team has relied on individual brilliance more than a team effort, which has edged their side past other close contenders for the semis. 

Ahead of the semi-final clash, here are the five player battles that could affect the result of the high-voltage clash.

Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult

image-loxvf4ijTrent Boult picks Rohit Sharma's wicket in CWC 2019 [X.com]

In the battle of experience, Rohit Sharma and Trent Boult will square off against each other and look to provide their respective team an early advantage, getting the better of the other. 

Sharma has set the platform for incoming batters for India, deflating opponent bowlers from the get-go, while Boult's surge in the first few overs can pin the batting line-up down. In ODIs against each other, Boult has claimed Sharma's wicket four times.

Virat Kohli vs Tim Southee

image-loxvnt1aTim Southee and Virat Kohli exchange pleasantries [X.com]

A rivalry that has evolved since the ICC under-19 World Cup 2008 could finally see its final chapter when Virat Kohli and Tim Southee face off tomorrow. Kohli, who has been India's most consistent batter this World Cup 2023, will need to brush aside Southee's threat, who despite being out of form rises to the occasion. 

Southee has gained the better of Kohli six times in ODIs, while overall has picked the former's wicket nine times. 

Jasprit Bumrah vs Rachin Ravindra

image-loxw6w6tJasprit Bumrah and Rachin Ravindra [X.com]

Players who have taken ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 by storm, Jasprit Bumrah and Rachin Ravindra will battle it out in the middle at Mumbai and give rise to a new-generation rivalry. 

While Bumrah has been unplayable in his early burst, Ravindra has applied himself and batter according to the condition and situation. Both players hold key value for their team's early advantage, which makes this contest more mouth-watering. 

Kuldeep Yadav vs Daryl Mitchell

image-loxweyygKuldeep Yadav tries to catch as Daryl Mitchell watches [X.com]

The middle overs in an ODI is one of the most important sessions, and the team that gains dominance holds an edge heading into the final dash. For India, Kuldeep Yadav has lynchpin batters with his left-arm wrist-spin, while for New Zealand is in-form batter Daryl Mitchell, who has shunned away any threats possible.

In the group stage, Mitchell charged Yadav and rattled the young bowler's psyche, which in a crucial knockout match could be monumental. Yadav has castled Mitchell in T20Is, but ODI is a different prospect.

Mohammed Shami vs Kane Williamson

image-loxwranuKane Williamson survives a close call against Mohammed Shami [X.com]

Mohammed Shami has been devastating with the seam bowling in World Cup 2023, has troubled the best of batters in the competition. However, against New Zealand, Shami will have to outsmart Kane Williamson, who has often been a thorn in India's knockout matches.

Williamson's ability to play the ball as late as possible makes his commitment to the seaming delivery less susceptible. With tons of experience with these veterans, expect a gripping face-off between Shami and Williamson.