Undefeated India set for Kiwi clash at 'pointy end' of World Cup

India may be the outstanding team at the ICC World Cup 2023 but coach Rahul Dravid has warned Wednesdays semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai represents the pointy end in a tournament Sundays 160run defeat of the Netherlands left hosts India with a perfect played nine won nine record the first time any side had achieved such a feat at a World Cup featuring a roundrobin format India are wellstocked in all departments with star man Virat Kohli the tournaments leading batsman with 594 runs and captain Rohit Sharma not far behind on 503 The experienced duo have scored three hundreds between them while the likes of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul both appear to be coming into form at the right time following their centuries against the Netherlands Meanwhile India boast a formidable fastbowling lineup in Jasprit Bumrah Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami If successful teams are fortunate as well as good then India certainly had a lucky break when an injury to allrounder Hardik Pandya paved the way for Shamis return with the experienced seamer having since taken 16 wickets in five matches at a stunningly low average of under 10 In addition spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are also capable of taking wickets without being flogged for runs And yet the fact remains India have been waiting since a 2011 triumph over Sri Lanka in Mumbai to win a third World Cup title while their last major piece of silverware was the 2013 Champions Trophy Four years ago New Zealand defeated India by just 18 runs in a rainaffected World Cup semifinal in Manchester that spanned two days with the Black Caps also beating India in the inaugural 2021 World Test Championship finalAlso ReadThe unbeatables underdogs and everything in betweenFive of the India side who featured in the 2019 semifinal Rohit Kohli Rahul Bumrah and Jadeja are set to be involved again on Wednesday Youre at a pointy end in a tournament now said Dravid There is going to be certain amount of pressure but I think the way we have responded to the pressure so far gives us a lot of belief Dravids argument is supported by the manner of Indias fourwicket win against New Zealand in the group stage at Dharamsala last month Despite Daryl Mitchells 130 India held New Zealand to 273 with Shami taking 554 before Kohli made 95 and Jadeja demonstrating his bigmatch temperament a valuable 39 not outWednesdays match takes place at Rohits Wankhede Stadium home ground where India bowled out Sri Lanka for just 55 to win by 302 runs in the group stage with the aggressive 36yearold opener leading from the front at what could be his last World Cup Rohit has certainly been a leader without a doubt said India batting great Dravid Hes cracked open games for us Weve talked about playing in a particular way You cannot do that unless your leader really buys in and actually shows by exampleAlso ReadFortune favours the lsquoBluersquoNew Zealand in contrast to India are in the semifinals despite losing four of their nine group games But they now have a clean slate with captain and key batsman Kane Williamson following an injuryplagued tournament returning to form with 95 on his comeback against Pakistan A proven pace trio of Trent Boult Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson are capable of succeeding against even the strongest batting lineup with miserly leftarm spinner Mitchell Santner 16 wickets at under 25 an often underrated threat Runnersup at the last two World Cups New Zealand also boast a breakout rising star in Rachin Ravindra with the 23yearold lefthander having already scored 565 runs The son of Indianborn parents Ravindra is also the first New Zealander to compile three hundreds at a single World Cup with his century on tournament debut against England followed by further threefigure scores against Australia and Pakistan You dream of playing against India and a full crowd at the Wankhede a ground with so much history said Ravindra Well stay level well try our best We know we cant win every game of cricketbut well see how it plays outWith agency inputs