ABOUT THE MATCH
The ICC World Cup 2019 semi-final line-up is all set, and the four best teams of the tournament have made it through.
The first semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2019 is going to be played between India and New Zealand. India finished at the top of the table and lost just one game in its entire campaign. New Zealand finished fourth and was slightly lucky to have scraped through to the semi-final on the basis of net run-rate.
India comes into this match full of confidence with most of its players in form while New Zealand comes after three straight defeats in its last three matches.
India vs New Zealand ICC World Cup 2019 semi-final is going to be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.
TOSS PREDICTION
The team winning the toss will want to bat first. We know that there are some overcast conditions around but this a high-pressure match and teams would like to avoid chasing.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS
- India vs New Zealand ICC World Cup 2019 semi-final is going to be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester on the 9th of July 2019.
- The weather forecast for match day is a bit mixed. Humidity is expected to be high and there are some clouds around for the most part.
- A couple of rain delays may also be seen, although, nothing that should cause a reduction in the match.
- The pitch at Manchester is good for batting and the large boundaries should help the spinners bowl with freedom as well.
Individual Team Winning Percentage:
Top Order Analysis:
India, Top order looks stronger than New Zealand.
Middle Order Analysis:
India, Middle order looks stronger than New Zealand.
Top Order and Middle Order Analysis:
Both, team’s Middle looks somehow Similar.
Top bowlers Analysis:
India, team bowling looks much stronger than New Zealand.
MATCH PREVIEW
INDIA
- Two solid wins after the defeat to England will help India be in a positive frame of mind when it plays against New Zealand. Virat Kohli has a few selection issues to sort out since a few old problems continue to follow him.
- India’s top-order is in supreme form. Rohit Sharma has hit a record-breaking five centuries in this edition of the World Cup, including three in a row. Lokesh Rahul also managed to score a century and the pair did not leave much for the rest of the players to do.
- India’s batting is vulnerable to early wickets and that is probably why they start a bit slow. Against New Zealand, Trent Boult is going to be a big threat with the new ball. He swings the ball into the pads of the batsmen and has troubled Rohit Sharma in the past.
- The bowling is another story, though. Jasprit Bumrah is the most economical bowler still remaining in the tournament. He may not have taken the wickets that some of the bowlers have taken but his ability to dry up the runs is just breath-taking.
| Top 3 batsman India | Top 3 Middle Order India | Top 3 Bowler India |
| R Sharma | MS Dhoni | Bhuvneshwar |
| KL Rahul | R Pant | J Bumrah |
| V Kohli | H Pandya | Y Chahal |
NEW ZEALAND
- New Zealand has benefitted from having its easiest matches at the start of the campaign. That allowed it to get the required number of wins under its belt and play the big matches without any pressure. New Zealand has not won a single game any of the other semi-finalists or even the fifth-placed team for that matter.
- New Zealand must approach this match with a fresh mind. Nothing that has gone before this match has any consequence and a good performance here could give them the chance to win their first World Cup title.
- While India is going to be happy to be playing New Zealand, there is no doubt in our mind that New Zealand would also be happy to face India rather than Australia.
- New Zealand’s batting is currently too dependent on Kane Williamson.
- The best way for New Zealand to play this match is to attack. They have the batsmen to take the game to batsmen and bat around Kane Williamson.
- A lot of things need to go right in terms of weather conditions, player performance, and toss for New Zealand to be able to win this match.
| Top 3 batsman New Zealand | Top 3 Middle Order New Zealand | Top 3 Bowler New Zealand |
| M Guptill | R Taylor | T Boult |
| H Nicholls | T Latham | M Henry |
| K Williamson | C de Grandhomme | J Neesham |
OUR FANTASY LEAGUE PICKS FOR INDIA VS NEW ZEALAND 1ST SEMI FINAL ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2019 ARE MENTIONED BELOW:
| IF India Bat First | IF New Zealand Bat First |
| M Dhoni | R Taylor |
| R Sharma | K Williamson |
| V Kohli | J Neesham |
| L Rahul | M Henry |
| H Pandya | T Boult |
| K Yadav | B Kumar |
| J Bumrah | K Yadav |
| T Boult | J Bumrah |
| M Santner | H Pandya |
| C Munro | R Sharma |
| K Williamson | M Dhoni |
*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.*
