India Will Be Nervous Facing New Zealand In Cricket World Cup 2023 Semifinal: Ross Taylor

India will be nervous facing New Zealand in the World Cup, reckons Ross Taylor, drawing parallels from the campaigns of both teams in the 2019 edition. New Zealand had stopped India's dominant run four years ago when they beat the Virat Kohli-led side in the rain-hit semifinal at Manchester. Like 2019, India go into the semifinals as table toppers. New Zealand, who started the tournament well, finished fourth in the league stage with five wins in nine games. "As New Zealand prepare to take on India in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-finals, it is impossible not to look back at the parallels with 2019," Taylor, who was part of that semifinal in Manchester, told ICC.

"Four years ago, India went into the semi-final as the form side in the tournament, while we were more focused on ensuring our net run-rate would keep Pakistan out of reach for the final spot in the top four.

"This time around, India are even bigger favourites, at home and having played so well during the group stage. But when we have nothing to lose, New Zealand teams can be dangerous.

"If there is a team that India will be nervous facing, it will be this New Zealand side," said the one of the most prolific batters from New Zealand.

However, New Zealand's task will be herculean.

"We're up against it, of course, but that was also the case in 2019. That was a two-day one-day game! (due to rain). It was a strange situation for me, I was not out overnight. That is nerve-wracking enough in Test cricket, let alone a one-dayer and a World Cup semi-final," he recalled.

The game will be played at the Wankhede Stadium, usually a high-scoring venue.

Taylor said if New Zealand can strike early, it will put tremendous pressure on the Indian middle-order.

"The