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'Never Write Off New Zealand': Steve Harmison Warns India Before Potential WC Meet-Up

image-los8pk98Two skippers Kane Williamson and Rohit Sharma (Twitter)

Even as New Zealand stuttered through to the knock-outs stage after enduring a four-match losing streak during the league phase, former England pacer Steve Harmison believes Team India must not take the BlackCaps lightly ahead of the marquee semifinal fixture of the ICC World Cup 2023. 

Before India faces off against New Zealand in a repeat clash of the 2019 semifinal at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Harmison underlined the 'quality' of the Kane Williamson-led side, insisting they must never be 'written off' in a multinational tournament. 

Williamson's men finally regained their winning ways after going the past two weeks without a victory when they suppressed the Sri Lankans in Bangalore on Thursday (November 9) and nearly ascertained their semifinal spot with a fifth triumph in nine league matches. 

Unless Pakistan do the unthinkable and defeat England by a whopping margin of 287 runs or seal a run-chase in 2.4 overs on Saturday, it will be an India-New Zealand semifinal in Mumbai where Rohit Sharma & company will be striving to avenge a painstaking loss in the 2019 knock-out fixture in Manchester. 

Harmison Backs New Zealand Ahead Of India Semifinal 

Harmison, however, believes the script could very well once again reflect brightly on New Zealand's spirits and ability to rise with their 'A' game at the biggest stage.

"A quality side like New Zealand, you can never write off. Just quietly, I think of the three teams that are in the semifinals with India, I've got a funny feeling, India, the one team they didn't want to be playing was New Zealand because of the character New Zealand have," Harmison told ESPNCricinfo.


Back then also, India were massive favourites to storm past the Kiwis and enter the tournament summit clash at Lord's against England. But Williamson & company spoiled the party for Virat Kohli and company.