Indian team, after putting on a dominant show in the ODI World Cup 2023 group stage, is expected to perform to their full potential against New Zealand in the semi-final match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. With India unlikely to change their winning combination, here in this article, we will have a look at India’s expected playing XI against New Zealand match in the semi-final game.
Openers: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to open the innings alongside Shubman Gill as usual. The Rohit Sharma-Shubman Gill pair has been the most successful batting pair in ODIs across this calendar year. The duo has recorded 1422 runs from just 20 innings in 2023, with eight fifty-run partnerships and five century-run partnerships.
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Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav
The world’s best batter, Virat Kohli, will bat at the number 3 position, while Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul’s contribution will be vital in the middle order if Rohit (or) Gill fails on that particular day. Suryakumar Yadav’s innovative batting will also play a crucial factor in India’s success in the death overs to finish on a very high note.
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All-Rounder: Ravindra Jadeja
India’s first-choice all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been playing a vital role for their team in the absence of an all-round player like Hardik Pandya. Hence, his consistent performance with the ball will be crucial for his side in the absence of a sixth bowling option.
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Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj
India’s pace trio Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah’s impact has been terrific in this tournament as the opponent team has struggled to play this attack. This dangerous trio has been India’s backbone for their consistent victories. Alongside these three players, Kuldeep Yadav’s impact in middle overs has also been brilliant.
