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India vs New Zealand predictions:
- India to have highest opening partnership 4/6 BoyleSports
- Virat Kohli to be top India batter – 3/1 BetGoodwin
- Lockie Ferguson to take two or more wickets – 19/20 Betway
India and New Zealand face off in the first semi-final at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup as the Black Caps aim to reach a third successive final on Wednesday (8:30am, Sky Sports Main Event).
New Zealand secured their semi-final place after defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets, edging out Pakistan for fourth spot.
Kane Williamson’s men are now bidding to progress to the final for the third time, having previously been beaten in 2015 and 2019 by Australia and England respectively.
The hosts stand in their way as India aim to advance to the final for the first time since 2011.
India won the World Cup last time they progressed to the showcase game, but have been unsuccessful in their bid to return after losing to New Zealand at this stage four years ago.
Rohit Sharma’s men have been outstanding at the tournament, winning all nine matches in the group stage.
But, the pressure of the occasion has got to India teams in the past and the semi-final will be a test of composure for Sharma and his teammates, especially in front of an expectant home crowd.
UK bookmakers have installed India as favourites for the game, and a victory for the hosts would not be a surprise considering the ease with which they dealt with the Black Caps in the group stage meeting. But, past performances could count for very little at this stage.
After looking at the Cricket World Cup odds, here are our India vs New Zealand predictions for the semi-final showdown.
India to have highest opening partnership
In the 2019 semi-final clash, India endured a nightmare start to their chase of a modest total of 240. India were reduced to five for three amid a devastating new ball spell from Matt Henry and Trent Boult.
Sharma was the leading runscorer at the 2019 World Cup, but when his team needed a composed knock at the top of the order, he failed to deliver.
Kohli also misfired after scoring only a single as Ravindra Jadeja was left to rally his team, only to fall narrowly short as the Black Caps secured an 18-run win to advance to the final. That can’t be the case this time.
All eyes will be on Sharma and Shubman Gill to set the tone, either first up with the bat or chasing a total once again.
He and Gill put on 76 for the opening stand in the group stage before Lockie Ferguson becalmed the India ranks.
The India skipper needs to set a platform for his team, and we’re backing him and Gill to edge out their counterparts Devin Conway and Rachin Ravindra to post the biggest score for the first wicket.
With our first India vs New Zealand prediction, we’re taking India to have the highest opening stand at 4/6 with BoyleSports.
India vs New Zealand Tip 1: India to have highest opening partnership 4/6 BoyleSports
Will Kohli stand up?
Virat Kohli has been sensational for India at the World Cup. He has been measured with the bat and currently leads the run chart at the tournament, mustering 594 runs in nine innings.
He orchestrated the chase against New Zealand in their four-wicket win with a composed knock of 95.
The hosts would dearly love another innings like that from the 34-year-old. Although Kohli has achieved a great deal in the game, he has not been able to steer his side to success on the world stage as the key player in the team.
Kohli was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2011, but he was not a standout in the tournament. Now, he has the chance to enhance his legacy by ushering India towards their first World Cup final in 12 years.
Kohli is in prime form and should relish the occasion.
The spotlight has got the better of him in the past, notably in 2019, but also the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 when he was dismissed for just five in India’s defeat to Pakistan.
This is the perfect time to prove his doubters wrong with a standout knock. After considering the odds with new betting sites, with our second India vs New Zealand prediction, we’re backing Kohli at 3/1 to be India’s top batter with BetGoodwin.
India vs New Zealand Tip 2: Virat Kohli to be top India batter – 3/1 BetGoodwin
Ferguson the dangerman
Lockie Ferguson has been New Zealand’s best bowler at the World Cup. The right-arm quick has taken 10 wickets in six games at an average of 23.60, missing two matches due to injury.
He was the bowler who threatened to make inroads into the India line-up after Sharma and Gill’s onslaught in the early overs against Boult and Matt Henry.
Ferguson has the tools to disrupt the India batting line-up with his pace if there’s no movement for his teammates.
The 32-year-old has the experience and knowledge of the conditions too given his exploits in the Indian Premier League.
To win the game, New Zealand are going to need a moment of magic from one of their bowlers to limit India’s star-studded batting unit.
It might not be a complete spell, but two important wickets at the right time could be the difference between a win or a loss.
We’re backing Ferguson to take two or more wickets at 19/20 at Betway with our final India vs New Zealand predictions.
India vs New Zealand Tip 3: Lockie Ferguson to take two or more wickets – 19/20 Betway
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Last Updated: 14th March 2024, 07:22 AM
