New Zealand reaches its eighth World Cup semi-final. They have a huge task ahead of the big game. The main reason is simple – they’re facing India, the most dangerous opponent of the tournament who has tasted defeat just one time in the tournament. India also hammered them in their home ground by 4-1 in ODI series earlier this year. Kiwis are definitely the underdog in this game but anything can happen in a semifinal.

Black Caps have a huge task ahead of the game Vs India: Here’s how they can do it

India is the big favorite in this campaign and they’ve already shown numerous times the reason behind it. Kiwis are a bit of lucky because they got easier opponents at the beginning of the World Cup. They have lost three games at a stretch before the semi-final and get the semi-final ticket because of their better run-rate. But, the semi-final is a new chapter and anything can happen here. Here’s how New Zealand can beat the men in blue.

  • Building a solid opening partnership

The opening duo of New Zealand – Colin Munro and Martin Guptill, both aren’t playing well and failed to give Kiwis a solid start so far. The top-order and middle-order felt the pressure due to their miserable batting although captain Kane Williamson did a pretty good job in top order so far by scoring 481 runs in total. The opening duo must step up this game otherwise alarm bell can ring among Kiwis batsmen and they can lose confidence quickly.

NZ opening duo Munro and Guptill must step their game against India
NZ opening duo Munro and Guptill must step their game against India

  • If win the toss, chose to bat

The toss has been a very important factor so far and we’ve seen it again and again in this tournament. The team who usually bat first gets more advantage. Black Caps boss Gary Stead laments their bad luck against Australia and England after losing the toss as well as the game. The matches so far happened in Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester in this tournament shown us who have batted first, win the game. So, the toss will be a very important factor and if NZ will get the upper hand, they should choose to bat without thinking twice.

  • Scoring a big innings 

There’s no other way to win the match vs India without posting a gigantic score. India is filled with world-class batsmen. If NZ wants to topple them, they must post a big amount of runs in their scoresheet.

NZ must post a big score if they win the toss
NZ must post a big score if they win the toss

  • Deny Rohit Sharma to score big

NZ has quality pacers like Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Matt Henry. They’ve done a good job so far. But, they have to face an acid test against mighty India especially against their prolific opener Rohit Sharma, who is in the best form of his life. Rohit is the highest scorer of the tournament and posted four centuries so far. Deny Rohit Sharma to post another big score will be the most challenging for them.

  • Support Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is the only guy who remains consistent for the Black Caps since the beginning of the tournament. Sadly, he is not getting enough support from the other batsmen. NZ’s captain cool needs proper support to carry off a big innings for the Black Caps.

Kane Williamson needs supports from his mates
Kane Williamson needs supports from his mates

  • Resist Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is the most successful bowler of this tournament. NZ should be worried about him. His blistering speed, body-language, yorkers, length everything is so pinch-perfect and he can undoubtedly pose an extreme challenge to the Kiwis batsmen. If he can take some early wickets, Kiwis will face a tremendous challenge to save their innings.

  • Ignore the past history

Black Caps has always been poor in vital stages. They also get beaten by India earlier this year. On 16 occasions a team has come into the knockout stage of the World Cup off the back of a loss – and sadly, all of them failed to win a World Cup. Black Caps should keep in mind everything has a beginning and ignore those dirty history to keep the best focus on the game.

Kiwis are short of confidence for sure after being unbeaten to suffering three straight defeats. Things are looking gloomy for them and they’ve to face hot favorite India. They have to keep their head cool, nerve simple and should try to nail these factors if they want to overcome this mighty challenge.