The last 3 matches of ICC World Cup 2019 are on the cards, with the first semi-final India taking on New Zealand at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
India heading into the semis will be considered the favorites as winning momentum besides with them. The Rohit Sharma centuries are coming very effortlessly and along with a solid KL Rahul India is getting some solid start match after match. The class of Virat Kohli follows and with the flamboyance of Rishabh Pant team, India’s top order looks the best in the World Cup. The bowling department is arguably the best in the World Cup, with the good form of Hardik Pandya with bowl has made it a great asset to have with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. Indian middle order remains quite a question. But with the likes of MS Dhoni’s experience, nothing seems to be impossible.
New Zealand finds themselves in the middle of some bother right at the most important phase of this World Cup. Undoubtedly on Tuesday, it will play its most important match in the history of New Zealand Cricket against India. Skipper Kane Williamson is in great touch but has no support around in the line-up. New Zealand batters have posted a flop show in this World Cup and this kind of performance might end their journey in the World Cup on Tuesday itself. Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are the experienced ones in the batting line up and need to shoulder the responsibility. All-rounders Jimmy Neesham, Colin De Grandhome, and Mitchel Santner look in good touch right throughout the tournament. Trent Boult can pose a great threat to opposition on any given day.
Match Details:
Match: 46, Semi-Final 1.
Date: 9th July 2019.
Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.
Time: 10:30 am LOCAL, 03:00 pm IST
Weather Report:
Unfortunately, rains are expected on the match day. With the forecast expecting scattered rains throughout the day, the game is sure to be affected due to it. The temperature would be around 18 degree Celsius.
Pitch Report:
The Old Trafford pitch is going to provide a balance between the bat and ball. But as rains are forecasted it will be a headache for the captain to make a call on this wicket. If the game gets reduced DLS with come into the action, and the side chasing will always be an advantage as it will have a brief target in front of their eyes after every over bowled and after every wicket falls.
Head-To-Head Stats Overall:
102 ODIs
India 55 -New Zealand 45
Tied: 1 N/R: 1.
In World Cup: 8
New Zealand 4 – India 3
N/R: 1
Predicted Playing XI
India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli(C), Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni(WK), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson(C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham(WK), James Neesham, Colin De Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Trent Boult.
PlayerzPot XI
