WC 2023, IND vs NZ Semifinal 1 | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

India take on New Zealand in the semifinal 1 of World Cup 2023 (X.com)

The stage is well set for perhaps the most-anticipated rematch of the decade when India face-off against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2023 semifinal on Wednesday (November 15). The firing Men in Blue take on their spirited BlackCaps at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for a repeat of the 2019 semifinal. 

In a revenge clash for Team India, they stand the chance to make amends for their painstaking defeat at Old Trafford four years back and storm into the tournament summit clash as the most deserving finalists after hammering all their oppositions in an incredible league stage campaign. 

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For the Kiwis, it's a chance to once again upstage India in a high-stakes knock-out fixture of a World Cup after stuttering through their league campaign, including a four-match losing streak and five wins to cement their place in the semifinals stage. 

IND vs NZ: Team Previews 

India 

Most comprehensive of triumphs against the Netherlands in Bangalore helped India retain their mighty winning juggernaut and climb up to 9-0 in an astonishing run into the semifinal round. Rohit Sharma & company have been playing an extravagant and enterprising brand of cricket to underline their tag as massive trophy contenders. 

Indian team in World Cup 2023 (x.com)

Their batting unit has been packing the strongest punch collectively while their bowling attack has been running through opposition line-ups with remarkable ease and cruelty. India, however, need to revert the trend of faltering at the last hurdle by continuing in the rich vein of form and batter the Kiwis with another statement victory. 

India have turned the beast mode on for the ongoing World Cup, with their star-studded batting unit averaging a whopping 57.34 while going at 6.36 runs an over and their mighty threatening attack bagging nearly all of the 90 scalps available over nine innings with an average of 19.86 at less than 5 runs per over. 

Senior pros Rohit, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been key in either department. While the legendary duo of Rohit and Kohli have helped India ace the new-ball phase and instill great solidity in the batting line-up with 503 and 594 runs, respectively, stalwarts Shami, Jadeja and Bumrah have been running through opposition sides and taken 16, 16 and 17 wickets apiece. Their presence has allowed the rest of the juggernaut to retain its great strength and perform, with KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill contributing nicely to make it the most rounded Indian side ever. 

New Zealand 

From New Zealand's perspective, it's the most critical game of the tournament. Not just because a defeat sends them home but since a victory would bring them back into contention after facing doom and gloom from outside noises about their chances following a disappointing four-match losing streak. 

New Zealand in World Cup 2023 (X.com)

Kane Williamson & company began in high spirits by suppressing four oppositions on the bounce but fell down on earth over the following two weeks, requiring a huge victory over the struggling Sri Lankans to reach the top 4.  

The BlackCaps would take heart from the fact that they have had heroes rising up to the task at various stages of their campaign. Neither the batting unit has been short of runs amid the presence of numero uno Rachin Ravindra (565 runs), Daryl Mitchell (418) and Devon Conway (359) nor the bowling attack lacked substance with Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult taking 10, 16 and 13 wickets, respectively. 

It's just that consistent allround performances haven't been there, especially against big teams, which is exactly the reason why their campaign hasn't inspired great confidence on the outside. They defeated none of the semifinalists during the league stage and need to resurrect their overall display for it to change over the next one week. 

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IND vs NZ: Match Details & Live Streaming

IND vs NZ: Mumbai Pitch Report 

The pitch at the scenic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has played true to its historic reputation throughout this World Cup as a high-scoring venue with steep rising bounce and insignificant lateral movement. It has aided natural stroke-makers of the cricket ball and enabled multiple scores in excess of 350. For the bowlers, especially the seamers, the only window of respite is the hint of new-ball swing naturally available at a venue adjacent to the sea during the run-chases. Toss could be a crucial element in the coming semifinal. The team chasing will have to be mindful of the first 10-15 overs. Of the 27 previous One-Day Internationals played at the Wankhede Stadium, teams batting first have won on 14 occasions with the chasing side winning 13 times. 

IND vs NZ: Probable Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (C), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (WK), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

IND vs NZ: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

IND vs NZ: Winning Prediction

It's time for India to break the Kiwi semifinal deadlock and storm into the final in Ahmedabad. Rohit Sharma's men are heavy favourites to dismantle the BlackCaps at Wankhede considering the red-hot form they've been in. 

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