India will face arguably their biggest challenge of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 as they lock horns with New Zealand at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala on Sunday.
The two teams have won all their four matches in the tournament so far, but one of them will have to surrender their imperious winning streak amidst the scenic background of the picturesque venue.
The Men in Blue come into this game after comprehensively defeating Bangladesh by seven wickets at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune on Saturday. ViratKohli brought up his 78th international ton in a clinical chase, but the home side will be missing the services of Hardik Pandya, who injured his ankle whilst bowling in the ninth over of the match. Pandya is set to sit out of the upcoming game with SuryakumarYadav likely to replace him in the playing XI.
Having scuppered India’s World Cup dreams with a semifinal win at Manchester in the 2019 edition, New Zealand is a unit that the Men in Blue would be wary about.
Yet, the host holds an edge even if the weather patterns would suit the visitors with their affinity for dipping temperatures. India will miss its injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya forcing one change in the playing eleven and it remains to be seen if more replacements are in the offing.
The batting has been in order, riding largely on the impetus that skipper Rohit Sharma generates and the assurance that ViratKohli provides. Shubman Gill, K.L. Rahul and ShreyasIyer have had their stints too while it would be better for the last named to be more judicious in his shot selection.
Lining up against them would be the New Zealand seamers offering seductive charms around the off-stump with Tim Southee back in the reckoning, and there are adequate spinners too like Mitchell Santner.
Despite the heartbreak at Manchester, contests featuring India and New Zealand in the World Cups have offered some vignettes in the past. During a 1987 clash in Nagpur, Chetan Sharma bagged a hat-trick and the great Sunil Gavaskar (103 n.o., 88b, 10x4, 3x6) smashed his maiden ODI ton! India wouldn’t mind a repeat act from its current squad.
Right from the time it defeated England in this World Cup’s opener at Ahmedabad on October 5, New Zealand retained its momentum and got past the Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
But playing against India in its home environs is a different proposition and regular skipper Kane Williamson’s absence would be felt even if stand-in captain Tom Latham has helmed his team well.
New Zealand has always been about the sum being bigger than the parts and it helps that its batting, leaning on Devon Conway, has been on the mark. And on Sunday, hopefully the weather gods would restrain damp clouds from slithering through the surrounding mountain gaps.
New Zealand's stand-in captain, Tom Latham, shared his thoughts and team's approach on the upcoming encounter against India.
New Zealand have historically held an edge over India in World Cup match-ups, boasting a 5-3 advantage and having eliminated India in the semi-finals of the last edition in 2019.
However, Latham was quick to acknowledge India's prowess, stating, "They're a fantastic team. They've been playing some great cricket for a long period of time.
We've had some great contests in ICC events, but also in bilateral series, whether thatbe home or away.”