India v New Zealand: Toss likely to be key factor in World Cup semi-final

14.11.2023 - 14:39 thenationalnews.com

One team has won all nine matches at the 2023 World Cup, the other squeezed into the semi-finals despite losing four matches in a row.

But when India and New Zealand face off in Mumbai on Wednesday for a spot in the final, the hosts will be the side under most pressure.

There will be the pressure of expectations, the pressure of maintaining their perfect record in the tournament, the pressure to claim glory for the golden generation of Indian cricket who are possibly playing their last ODI World Cup.

And pressure of facing New Zealand in a knockout match. The Kiwis seem to have some sort of hold over the Indian team in ICC events.

India Cricket cricket world cup 2023 cup Semi-final Rohit Sharma New Zealand India

Former Indian cricket team batter Gautam Gambhir was not pleased with the approach taken by Rohit Sharma and Co while batting in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. India were all out for 240 and in response, Travis Head played a phenomenal knock to guide the Aussies to a record-extending sixth World Cup title. Gambhir pointed out that it is the 'most courageous' team who have the advantage in games like the World Cup final and the Indian batters were not aggressive or courageous in their approach after a good start.

"Half A Chance Of...": Pat Cummins On Reason Behind Cricket World Cup 2023 Final Toss Decision

Australian cricket team skipper Pat Cummins surprised a lot of experts and fans with his decision to bowl first after winning the toss in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. However, his choice was proven to be the right one as the Aussies went on to win the match and claim a record-extending sixth World Cup title. While the conventional thinking dictates that teams prefer to set the target in crucial matches, Cummins decided to follow the trend of results at the venue where three out of the last fours times the game was won by the side batting second.

Mohammed Shami's Mother Hospitalised During Cricket World Cup 2023 Final: Report

Mohammed Shami's mother, Anum Ara, was taken to a hospital near Sahashpur village in the Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh after she fell ill during the Cricket World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia on Sunday, according to a report by Times of India. The report claimed that she complained of nervousness and fever during the match and Shami's relatives took him to the local hospital for a checkup. She was later transferred to another health centre after the initial treatment and the report added that her condition is now stable. "She was admitted to the hospital due to fever and nervousness. Now, her condition is normal." Shami's cousin Dr Mumtaz told The Times of India.

Watch: Another Brainfade? Steve Smith's Mistake That Almost Became Costly For Australia In Cricket World Cup 2023 Final

Steve Smith made a huge mistake by not taking a crucial review despite being not-out during the Cricket World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. During the seventh over of the Australian innings, a slower delivery from Jasprit Bumrah crashed into Smith's pads and the entire India team went up in appeal. The umpire gave him out and although Smith was a bit interested, he was advised by Travis Head to not go for a review. However, replays showed that the impact of the ball was outside the off-stump and the decision would have been reversed.

Watch: Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Siraj In Tears After India's Heartbreaking Loss In Cricket World Cup 2023 Final

A scintillating century by Travis Head proved to be the point of difference as Australia beat India by seven wickets to clinch their sixth ICC Cricket World Cup title at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Australia have officially won a World Cup title in the decades of 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s. For India, their decade-long wait for a major ICC Trophy continues as after overcoming the semifinal hurdle, they have lost in the final. In the chase of 241, Men in Blue started off with an expensive over by Jasprit Bumrah as he was smashed for 15 runs, including three fours. Also, a catch was missed on the first ball itself. But Virat Kohli, who had missed the catch in the first over, made up for his error as Mohammed Shami struck in his first over, removing David Warner for just seven. India was 16/1 in 1.1 overs.

India vs Australia - "Wasn't Invited For World Cup 2023 Final," Claims Kapil Dev

Former India captain Kapil Dev on Sunday claimed that he was not invited to the World Cup final between the hosts and Australia here. Kapil, who led India to their maiden ODI World Cup title in 1983, said he wanted to travel for the game with the rest of his teammates.