India have had a dream run in this edition of the World Cup and Virat Kohli's men will hope to cruise through to the final with every intention of lifting the title. However, before that can happen, they must cross the hurdle that they will face in the semifinal―New Zealand.
New Zealand are no ordinary team and India would do well to keep this in mind. India's top-order, led by Rohit Sharma, is expected to give India a boost ad pile on the runs, but New Zealand's seam attack has been phenomenal and will be ready to take the Indian challenge in Tuesday's semifinal at Manchester.
India can, however, take advantage of New Zealand's performance in the last few matches in the tournament following a brilliant start. It was the consistent show in the initial phase of the tournament that factored in their entry in to the last four stage.
Vice captain Rohit Sharma is the leading run-scorer in this World Cup, with 647 runs so far, and will be expected to continue with his great form. K.L. Rahul ad Kohli have also been among the runs. India's top-order is in great shape, however, the same cannot be said for the middle-order. Here's where New Zealand could unsettle the Indians.
If the Trent Boult-led bowling attack strike at crucial points and get the top-order out, it could spell trouble for India. Hardik Pandya, the other middle-order batsmen haven't inspired the highest confidence and that includes M.S. Dhoni despite his 293 runs and a 90 plus strike-rate.
Lockie Ferguson (17 wickets), Boult (15 wickets) and Matt Henry (10 wickets) have shared 42 wickets between them so far in the tournament. New Zealand's weakness has been its batting as none from their top-order, save captain Kane Williamson (481 runs), have been able to stamp their authority.
In this scenario, India will fancy bowling first considering Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami's good form.
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However, there could be some changes in the line-up as number of right-handers in the New Zealand line-up may prompt India to drop one of the two wrist spinners.
Yuzvendra Chahal, according to Kohli, was a forced change in the last game and it's still not clear whether there's been an injury issue. Ravindra Jadeja was accurate in his first appearance and he could be in consideration.
In case India go in with three seamers, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar, then Kedar Jadhav, with his round-arm off-spin apart from cheeky strokes, could once again replace Dinesh Karthik in the middle-order.
In the end, Kohli wouldn't mind an inside edge to miss stumps or go for a boundary when batting and enjoy the benefits of a horrible mix-up between opposition batsmen while fielding.
Match starts 3 pm.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, K.L. Rahul, Rishabh Pant, M.S. Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohanmmed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Agarwal, Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jimmy Neesham, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Mitchell Samtner, Henry Nicholls, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi.
(With inputs from agencies)
