Last Update on: November 14th, 2023 at 04:44 pm
Former Indian cricketer S Sreesanth made a bold claim ahead of the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023. He said that it’ll be a one-sided clash if Men in Blue opt to bat first because Indian bowlers can take the game away while bowling under lights.
India will be up against New Zealand in the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023. The Men in Blue have played a dominant brand of cricket throughout the tournament so far and would be hoping to continue the winning run. However, it won’t be easy as Kiwis over the years have been their biggest upset-puller.
New Zealand over the years have troubled India a lot in the ICC tournament. The Men in Blue have managed just one win over them in the ICC events in 20 years. But with the way they have played in the ongoing event, it’s fair to say that it’ll be a breathtaking contest to watch.
Indian batters as well as bowlers have chipped in from time to time at crucial junctures and have helped the team be dominant. While batting has been no surprise, bowlers in particular pacers have set the stage on fire and have destroyed the opposition.
S Sreesanth admits that facing Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami under lights would be tough for New Zealand. Speaking to SportsKeeda, he explained:
“I feel it could be a one-sided match if our seamers bowl under lights – if Shami, Siraj and Bumrah bowl well. I won’t be easy, but if they use the seam position with the new ball, it won’t be easy for them [New Zealand]. Just in case New Zealand bat first, India must bowl them out inside 300. On Mumbai wickets, such scores can be chased.”
IND vs NZ: India should bat first if they win the toss – S Sreesanth
S Sreesanth further suggested Indian team to bat first while highlighting that during the final of the 2011 World Cup, batting second was tricky. He explained:
“India should bat first if they win the toss. It depends on the wicket as well. If it’s a flat track then we should definitely bat first. When we won the World Cup in 1983, we bowled second. In 2011, when we won the World Cup at Wankhede, we batted second. It’s a bit tricky, but I feel we should win the toss and bat first and put up a big score on the board.”
The last time India and New Zealand faced in the semi-final of the World Cup was in 2019. The Kiwis thrashed Men in Blue. The clash between them mostly will be known as the battle between Indian batters and New Zealand pacers.
