37 boundaries, 16 sixes, 3 half-centuries, two centuries and 410 runs — India Cricket Team has sent warnings to New Zealand ahead of the big IND vs NZ Cricket World Cup semifinal on Nov 15. India’s top five had a batting practice session in the IND vs NED clash with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli hitting half-centuries. Then, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul made merry with classy centuries. As Kiwis have been a thorn in India’s path, it was a good sign for Team India’s batting department ahead of the semifinal clash in Mumbai.
India Cricket Team may enjoy a slight edge over New Zealand in bilateral cricket, it is not the case in ICC events. India lost the last semifinal to New Zealand in ODI World Cup while they lost the WTC Final 2021 to New Zealand as well.
In fact, in ICC Cricket World Cup, New Zealand have a 5-4 advantage over India.
India gear up for IND vs NZ semifinal
However, India Cricket Team are in a phenomenal form in Cricket World Cup 2023. With all the batters getting runs and bowlers getting wickets, India haven’t even felt Hardik Pandya’s absence. Before the mega clash in Mumbai on Nov 15, India did warm-up in style.
Rohit Sharma: India captain have already notched up 500 runs in the Cricket World Cup 2023. With a century and three half-centuries, Rohit Sharma has hit top-gear. Against Netherlands, he warmed up for the IND vs NZ semifinal clash with a 61-run knock off 54 balls. He has a strike rate of 121.49, highest among the openers.
Shubman Gill: He may not have got a big hundred in his maiden World Cup campaign but with 270 runs including three half-centuries at an average of 38.57 and a strike rate of 104.65, he has had a decent WC. On Sunday, he smashed his third fifty, scoring 32-ball 51.
Virat Kohli: The top-scorer of Cricket World Cup 2023, Virat Kohli has been chasing the World Record 50 ODI tons. In Bengaluru, he missed out on the big one, scoring 51 off 56 balls. But with 594 runs at an average of 99.00 including two centuries and five half-centuries, Kohli has sent a warning to Trent Boult & Co in the IND vs NZ semifinal.
Twin Ton
Shreyas Iyer: There were doubts whether Shreyas Iyer should make way for someone like Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav. But the Mumbai star has notched up 82, 77 and 128 in his last three innings to shut all the critics. And at No 4, he is not just anchoring but taking the attack to the bowlers as well. On Sunday, Shreyas Iyer stroked at 136.17 strike rate. And he has also worked on the short-ball skills to show that he is ready to deliver in the big IND vs NZ semifinal.
KL Rahul: Need to keep wickets? Need to play the anchor role? Or need to play attacking shots? KL Rahul has been the man for all occasions in the Cricket World Cup 2023. With a century and a half-century, Rahul has scored 347 runs at an average of 69.40. On Sunday, he unleashed his beast side. He smashed 102 off just 64 balls, scoring the fastest WC century by an Indian. And at No 5, he is the key against Kiwis.
