India vs New Zealand Semi-final: India Should Bat first if they Win Toss: Experts

Mumbai: The highly anticipated clash between India and New Zealand in the semi-finals of the World Cup is set to captivate the cricketing world. These two cricketing giants have a long and storied rivalry, and their World Cup encounters have always been closely contested affairs.

If India wins the toss, then they need to bat first said, former India captain Anil Kumble and former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden. In a sports interview both the cricket legend opined that India need to bat first as chasing would be difficult in the Wankhede stadium.

They said if India bats first and put 300 or 300 + scores, then there is good chance of men in blue winning the match.

A History of Close Encounters        

India and New Zealand have met 10 times in the World Cup, with India holding a slight edge, winning six matches to New Zealand’s four. However, New Zealand has shown in recent years that they are capable of beating India in any format, and their most recent World Cup meeting in the 2019 semi-final is a testament to their prowess. In that rain-affected match, New Zealand emerged victorious, extending their dominance over India in World Cup knockout matches. This victory marked their fourth win in five encounters.

The Rivalry Extends Beyond World Cups                  

The rivalry between India and New Zealand extends beyond the World Cup, especially in the ODI format. The two teams have played 115 matches against each other, with India having the upper hand, winning 64 matches to New Zealand’s 44. However, New Zealand has shown that they are capable of beating India in any format, and the upcoming World Cup clash is sure to be another nail-biting encounter.

Wankhede Stadium Batting First vs Batting Second

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has hosted a total of 27 ODIs, with the team batting first winning 14 matches and the team batting second winning 13 matches. This means that the percentage of winning batting second in ODIs at Wankhede Stadium is approximately 48.15%.

Factors That Will Determine the Outcome              

Many factors will determine the outcome of the match, including:

Toss: The toss will play an important role, as the team batting first has historically had a slight advantage at Wankhede Stadium.

Bowling: Both teams have strong bowling attacks, so the ability to take wickets early will be crucial.

Batting: Both teams have explosive batting lineups, so the ability to build partnerships and score big runs will be important.

Prediction: A Match Too Close to Call      

This match is too close to call, and it is likely to come down to the wire. However, India’s slightly better record in World Cups and their recent ODI form give them a slight edge.

An Unmissable Spectacle

The India vs New Zealand World Cup clash is a match that cricket fans will not want to miss. The passion, skill, and drama of these two cricketing giants will be on full display, and the outcome will undoubtedly go down in cricketing history.