India and New Zealand are set to face off in the first semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on November 15, reviving memories of their 2019 semi-final clash, where India experienced an agonizing 18-run defeat.
The haunting recollections of that match have resurfaced, causing apprehension among fans and likely stirring caution among the 15 players in India’s World Cup squad.
New Zealand has proven to be a formidable opponent for India in ICC events, as seen in the 2021 T20 World Cup and the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final in 2021, where they handed India defeats. However, India recently broke a 20-year streak by defeating New Zealand in the ongoing World Cup.
While India’s four-wicket victory in Dharamsala provided a confidence boost, the team must also learn from mistakes made in their encounter with New Zealand four years ago. In the 2019 semi-final, despite early breakthroughs by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, New Zealand built partnerships, with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor leading the charge.
Why India vs New Zealand World Cup 2019 Semi-Final was played over 2 days?
However, the biggest turning point of the match was when the game had to be stopped due to heavy rain in Manchester with New Zealand still having 4 overs left to play. After waiting long enough for the rain to stop, it was the game which had to be stopped. However, there was a reserve day set for the match, thus the match resumed once again the next day.
New Zealand played its remaining 4 overs and ended with 239 runs on the board. While it liked it was an easy target to chase, but overcast conditions and the rain the previous had a huge effect on the match as India’s top-order was crumbled by the Kiwi pacers. At one time, India were reduced to 6 wickets for 92 runs.
But valiant efforts from Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni gave India another glimmer of hope until that tragic run out of Dhoni had broke the heart and dream of every Indian fans. Team India were all-out for just 221 runs and New Zealand progressed to the final. The two teams meet again, this time in India. Can the Men in Blue get past the Kiwis to book their World Cup 2023 Final berth?
