World Cup 2023, Match 21 | New Zealand Predicted XI vs India

image-lnzzoqc2New Zealand will be playing against India in the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

On October 22, India and New Zealand will square off in Match 21 of the ongoing 2023 World Cup at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. It's a battle of the table toppers, and the beautiful backdrop adds more flavour to the entertainment.

India began the prestigious competition with a thrilling victory over Australia in Chennai. After being pushed back to 2-3, they overhauled the 200-run chase on the back of a magnificent innings from KL Rahul and Virat Kohli. Then came wins over three Asian countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The team will be missing Hardik Pandya, who was injured while bowling against Bangladesh. The all-rounder have straightaway travelled to Lucknow where India will play England.

For more such reads, click here.

New Zealand began the tournament by defeating the defending champions, England. They followed it up with wins over the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. They are missing Kane Williamson, who was hurt after returning against Bangladesh. Tim Southee is expected to be available for selection and could be an option for the think tank. 

New Zealand have a dominating record against India in the ICC events. They have been unbeaten by the Men in blue in ICC tournaments for 20 years now. So if they're to continue with the streak, what could be New Zealand's predicted XI against India. Let's have a look.


Openers: Devon Conway and Will Young

New Zealand have seen constant amendments in their top order in order to fit their skipper Kane Williamson. But the latter was injured once again during the match against Bangladesh. So the management stuck with Will Young and Devon Conway at the top of the order. The former was unfortunate enough to be pruned of the side after scoring 70 against Netherlands. But he continued his food form with the bat when he returned against Afghanistan by scoring a gritty fifty. Young will be featuring against India in Dharamshala.

Conway should be the other opener and why not. The southpaw is the leading run-getter of the tournament for New Zealand. He has racked up 249 runs from four innings with a 150+ against England. He got starts in his last three outings but failed to convert.


Middle Order: Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham and Mark Chapman

Daryl Mitchell had an excellent outing in the UK during the English summer playing for Lancashire and London Spirits (Men's Hundred). He continued his good form with a brilliant 89* off 67 against Bangladesh. He also fell shy of a half-century by a brave against the Dutch.

Mitchell will be followed by Tom Latham who has been a breath of fresh air as an interim captain. Latham is a brilliant player in the Indian conditions and has the capability to regulate the innings in the middle order. He scored a fifty in their last game.

Mark Chapman has an interesting role in this team. He is one of those batters who averages over 40 in the subcontinent. A brilliant player of spin, can switch gears when needed and his adaptability lower down the order makes him a bankable option to do the job in the lower-middle order.


All-rounders: Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips and Mitch Santner

In the absence of their regular skipper, Ravindra has featured at the top of the order like he used to do for his domestic sides a few years back. The all-rounder set the tournament on fire with a brilliant century against England. He and Conway took the game away from the defending champions in the competition opener. Ravindra will also be a more than handy option with his left-arm orthodox spin.

Glenn Phillips is yet another character that steps up when the team needs him. He was exceptional with some right arm off spin against England, claiming two crucial wickets. But Phillips' primary role will be with the bat in hand. He notched up a brilliant 71 off 80 against Afghanistan that helped them reach a winning total of 288.

When it comes to the spinners, Mitchell Santner has been the best of the lot. He has been marvellous with his change-ups, bagged wickets in crucial times and one of the primary reasons why New Zealand is not missing someone like Ish Sodhi in Indian conditions. Santner has snapped eleven wickets from four matches thus far.


Bowlers: Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson

Trent Boult and Matt Henry would be apt for the conditions of Dharamshala where the new ball does enough to beat the edges of the bat for an elongated period. The duo has been ever so threatening to the Indian batters in the past ICC tournaments. And joining them will be Lockie Ferguson who has six wickets from three matches. He is getting back in good touch after pocketing back-to-back three-fers in the mega-event.


New Zealand Predicted XI vs India

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