India vs New Zealand, ICC World Cup 2023: Key Player Battles Which Might Decide The Big Clash

India and New Zealand will square off at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, Dharamshala on October 22 in match No. 21 of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. Both sides head into the match in red-hot form having won all their four matches so far. Team India will enjoy the favourites tag having beaten Australia and Pakistan with consummate ease. They also romped home to victories over minnows Afghanistan and Bangladesh to maintain their unbeaten run in the Cricket World Cup. (Cricket World Cup points table)

Rohit Sharma has had a balanced and perfect playing XI with all bases covered until now. However, an injury to all-rounder Hardik Pandya might upset the team balance a bit against New Zealand. With the pitch at the HPCA Stadium assisting the pacers, India might feel Hardik Pandya's absence.

New Zealand, meanwhile, have also logged convincing wins over their opponents in all of the four matches. They overcame world champions England in their opening match and did not let the guard down against the Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Top five key battles from the India vs New Zealand match

Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult
India captain Rohit Sharma has been in sublime form in the ongoing Cricket World Cup. The opener has scored 265 runs in the four matches at an average of 66.25 and enjoys a strike rate of over 137.

Despite a poor show against Australia, Rohit Sharma blazed to form with a 131 against Afghanistan and then scored a match-winning knock of 86 against arch-rivals Pakistan. Against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma will be up against an experienced bowler in Trent Boult. With the pitch at Dharamshala assisting the pacers, Trent Boult with his ability to make the bowl swing both ways will be a