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India will take on New Zealand in match number 21 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Incidentally, India and New Zealand are the two sides who are yet to face defeat in the World Cup so far. Both sides have played four matches and have won all of them. After Sunday, though, there will be only one side that will have the unbeaten tag. If we look at the journey of the two sides in the competition so far, India have beaten Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. As for the Kiwis, they have registered wins over England, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
In their previous match, India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets. Batting first, Bangladesh were well placed at 93/0, but India made a great fightback to reduce them to 256/8. The Men in Blue then chased down the target in comprehensive fashion in 41.3 overs. The Kiwis also had it easy against Afghanistan in Chennai. Their batters put up 288/6 and then bundled out Afghanistan for 139. While India will be without Hardik Pandya on Sunday, the Kiwis will continue to miss the services of Kane Williamson. Here are five player battles to watch out for in the India-New Zealand game.
Rohit Sharma vs Matt Henry
Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been in excellent form in the ongoing World Cup. He is the second-leading run-getter in the competition, with 265 runs from four innings at an average of 66.25 and a strike rate of 137.31. After beginning with a duck against Australia, Rohit has registered scores of 131, 86 and 48. He has been highly aggressive and will look to continue his golden run in Dharamsala.
Matt Henry has been an unsung hero in New Zealand’s team for a few seasons now. Going about his job without much fuss, the pacer has claimed 139 wickets in 79 matches at an average of 25.67 and an economy rate of 5.15. In the ongoing World Cup, he has already claimed nine wickets in four matches at an average of 18. In the 2019 World Cup semis, Henry dismissed Rohit with a brute for 1. There is some history there.
Devon Conway vs Mohammed Siraj
Devon Conway has been in impressive form for New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup. He kicked off his campaign with an unbeaten 152 in the opener against England in Ahmedabad. However, he has not converted his starts into big scores in his three subsequent matches, registering scores of 32, 45, and 20. Conway is known as someone who loves playing big knocks. He will be hungry to come up with a significant performance against India.
Mohammed Siraj has been a big expensive with the ball, but it wouldn’t be wrong to say that he has lived up to all the hype around him heading into the 2023 World Cup. Siraj has not always looked in rhythm but has picked key wickets at crucial junctures out of nowhere. After a forgettable game against Afghanistan, he claimed 2/50 versus Pakistan, dismissing Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam. He picked up two important scalps against Bangladesh as well. Can he get rid of Conway early?
Virat Kohli vs Trent Boult
Just like Rohit Sharma vs Matt Henry, this will be one big battle to watch out for. If Henry had Rohit caught behind in the 2019 World Cup, Boult trapped Virat Kohli in front of the wickets for 1. The seasoned Team India batter has been in excellent form in the 2023 World Cup and will be keen to make a strong statement against Boult and co. After a hard-fought 85 against Australia and a breezy 55 not out versus Afghanistan, he slammed a superlative hundred against Bangladesh, only missing out in the match against Pakistan. Kohli might not admit it, but he will want to prove a point against Boult and the New Zealand team.
Speaking ahead of the big game, Boult told Reuters that he expects a cracker of a game but also pointed out that the Kiwis like playing against India in multi-nation events. He did not bring out the stats, but the fact remains that India have not beaten the Kiwis in an ICC event since 2003. For that to change, Kohli might have to thwart Boult. If he gets into a rhythm, he can be very dangerous. India, of course, do not need to be reminded of it. In that sense, Kohli vs Boult could be the defining battle of the match.
Glenn Phillips vs Kuldeep Yadav
After a slow start to his World Cup campaign, Glenn Phillips flourished with 71 off 80 against Afghanistan. His knock featured four fours and as many sixes. Phillips is a rhythm player who can be extremely dangerous if he spends a decent amount of time at the crease. India need to make sure he does not get going on Sunday.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav could be a weapon India could look to use to try and stop a Phillips assault. Kuldeep has carried his good form into the World Cup and has been highly impressive. In four matches, he has picked up six wickets at an average of 27.33 and an excellent economy rate of 4.10. If Kuldeep can stifle Phillips, it could be an advantage for India.
KL Rahul vs Lockie Ferguson
KL Rahul has done a fine job for India as the designated keeper-batter. He has been good behind the stumps and in front of it as well. Rahul has been a finisher of sorts in the World Cup for India so far. He remained unbeaten on 97 against Australia and has been undefeated against Pakistan and Bangladesh as well, scoring 19 and 34, respectively.
Rahul has been given a job in the team and has so far done it well. Lockie Ferguson, though, could challenge him. The fast bowler has impressed with his pace and has claimed three wickets each in the last two games. But those have been against Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Can he come up with a similar performance against Rahul and the Indian team?
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