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WC semi-final between India and New Zealand: Pay attention to “part-timers” Rohit and Kohli as the hosts seek retribution

On Wednesday, Rohit Sharma’s Team India will face New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in an attempt to exact revenge for the World Cup sorrow that befell them in 2019. After hitting a perfect nine, Rohit and company can advance further in their quest for India’s third 50-over World Cup title by defeating Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the opening semi-final.

In the ICC World Cup 2023 final on Sunday, the victor of the first semi-final will play South Africa or Australia. When the two countries last faced one other in the World Cup 2023, New Zealand lost to the Men in Blue, who are known as India’s evil squad in ICC competitions. Virat Kohli’s batting masterclass and pacer Mohammed Shami’s wicket snapped New Zealand’s 20-year unbeaten streak against India in ICC competitions.

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How can India line up to take on the Black Caps?

Vice captain Hardik Pandya’s injury caused India to alter their lineup for their round-robin match against New Zealand. On the opening delivery of his World Cup campaign against the Kiwis, pacer Shami made his entrance known by getting a wicket. After Pandya left the team, India also included middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav in the starting lineup. At the ICC World Cup, Rohit’s Team India has had the same starting eleven from their fifth league match. With Pandya out of the picture, India will have to make the most of their five primary bowling options.

India should refrain from using Kohli as their sixth bowling option

India’s bowling arsenal, which includes Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja, will take on New Zealand at Wankhede. In India’s last league match against the Netherlands, the World Cup hosts used captain Rohit and former captain Kohli as part-time bowlers. It is unlikely, though, that players like Rohit and Kohli will be flailing their arms during the semi-final match at the Wankhede against the Black Caps.

Is Jadeja being pressed against the Kiwis?

The Kiwi hitters will likely be interested in facing the 16-wicket World Cup standout spinner Jadeja, who failed to register a wicket against New Zealand in the league encounter. The World Cup 2023 match between India and New Zealand was the only one in which Jadeja bowled 10 overs without taking a wicket. When it comes to the most dismissals an Indian spinner has ever had in a World Cup, Jadeja has already eclipsed both Anil Kumble and Yuvraj Singh.

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Kohli will increase his knockout total

India will also be looking to an excellent Kohli to improve upon his dismal performance in the ICC World Cup knockout stages. The 35-year-old’s average in his previous six 50-over World Cup knockout games has been 12.16. Kohli is the top run scorer at the 2023 ODI World Cup with 594 runs. Rohit Sharma, the captain, comes next. In just nine games, he has amassed 503 runs. The experienced Indian opener faces the Black Caps and must get the home team off to a fun start. KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and superstar Suryakumar will lead the middle order for the Centurions in their final World Cup encounter.