India vs New Zealand Cricket World Cup semi-final tips – CWC 2023

India vs New Zealand top picks & odds

India vs New Zealand semifinal preview

After a gruelling pool stage over the past six weeks, we have reached the final four of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. On Wednesday night, we are expecting a thrilling contest as hosts India take on New Zealand in the first semi-final at Wankhede Stadium.

Incredibly impressive throughout the pool stage, India saved one of their most dominant performances for last as they knocked off the Netherlands by 160 runs. Shreyas Iyer and Lokesh Rahul led the way with centuries as India put up a mammoth total of 410. The hosts then used nine different bowlers as they rolled the Netherlands for 250 in 47.5 overs.

Undefeated in their campaign so far, India are truly the side to beat. With home advantage as well as their immense quality across all areas of the game, India haven’t even looked close to losing a match so far. Expect them to keep the same playing 11 for this match.

Needing a win in their last match to guarantee a spot in the semi-finals, New Zealand put on a devastating performance last Thursday as they beat Sri Lanka by five wickets. Bowling first, they never gave Sri Lanka a chance as they took five wickets in the powerplay, eventually bowling them out for 171. Looking for a net-run-rate boost, New Zealand chased down the score in just 23.2 overs.

After winning their first four matches of the 2023 ODI World Cup, New Zealand suffered a severe form slump as they lost their next four. With the win last week needed as a reset, the Black Caps will be looking to return to their earlier form with both bat and ball.

India vs New Zealand betting strategy

History suggests that hosting a World Cup generally leads to success, and this edition has been no different. India have put together one of the most dominant campaigns we have seen so far and will be looking to carry on their form in these sudden-death matches. Under enormous pressure to perform, India will feel that anything less than the trophy is a failure, and this may cause them to falter.

With limited factors in favour of New Zealand causing an upset, we look back to the matchup between the two sides in the pool stage. Despite losing, the Kiwis gave India their biggest test by far, taking it down to the last two overs as they were beaten by four wickets. However, it is hard to look past India at -294.12 to win, as they have shown no signs of weakness so far.

Looking at the top runscorers for India, it will most likely come between their captain Rohit Sharma and tournament leading runscorer Virat Kohli. With over 500 runs for the Cricket World Cup so far, we like Rohit to set the tone for the side with a big innings at the top of the order. Favour Rohit as the India top runscorer at +275 with top cricket betting sites.

For New Zealand, it is hard to look past the emerging talent of Rachin Ravindra at the top of the order. At just 23 years old, Ravindra sits third in total runs for this World Cup. Against the best-quality opposition in cricket, look for Ravindra to lead the way as New Zealand’s top runscorer at +350 with online bookmakers.

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