ICC ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final 4 teams and pictures of both matches are now clear. The first semifinal will be between India vs New Zealand and the second semi-final between Australia vs South Africa.
Regardless of past performance, all four teams now have an equal chance of winning the World Cup. A win will take them to the finals and a mistake will take them out of the tournament. So, the semi-final matches will be do-or-die for all the four teams.
1st Semi Final – India vs New Zealand
Date – Wednesday, November 15
Venue – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
India will withdraw 4 years ago?
Before the World Cup, host India was the first choice for the title by many experts. The Indian team has reached the semi-finals by winning the first place by playing according to their own standards.
In the World Cup held in the year 2019, New Zealand defeated Team India in the semi-finals and kicked them out of the tournament. India has a good chance to avenge the defeat of four years ago. But it is not that simple.
Virat – Rohit’s big test
Batting is the strength of Indian team in every tournament. This competition is no exception. Hardik Pandya has not been lacking for India as all the batsmen in the top six have put in useful performances.
Indian batting relies on the experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rohit is going to play the third consecutive and Virat fourth consecutive ODI semi-final of the World Cup.
Virat has scored only 11 runs at an average of 3.66 in the previous 3 semi-finals. He is yet to hit a single boundary in the semi-finals. Looking at Virat’s current form, there is a possibility that he will definitely break this bad record this year.
Rohit Sharma’s semi-final performance is also average. He scored 35 runs in 2 matches at an average of 17.5. India’s success will depend on how these two, who are most important for Team India, play.
The fast-bowling trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Mohammad Siraj are in good form. Shami took 5 wickets in the match against New Zealand.
It has been seen that the swing bowlers are getting good help on the Wankhede pitch in the evening. So, New Zealand will have to plan a special strategy to stop the Indian fast bowlers.
Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are dangerous spinners for Team India. His ability to break the pack in the middle overs will be crucial in the semi-finals.
Will New Zealand do a hat trick?
Having reached the finals of the World Cup in 2015 and 2019, New Zealand has a chance to make it a hat-trick this year.
New Zealand had a strong start in this tournament by winning 4 in a row. They then lost 4 matches in a row. That included the defeat against India.
New Zealand’s batting is in good form in this tournament. He scored 383 against Australia and 401 against Pakistan. The challenge of 283 runs against England was completed in 36.2 overs only.
Will Racine leave behind Sachin?
Rachin Ravindra has scored 565 runs at an average of 70.62 so far in this tournament. He needs 109 more runs to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 673 runs in a single World Cup.
Devon Conway has not made a big knock since his century in the first match against England. But, the team got off to a fast start. Conway, who has a good experience of playing on the Indian pitch, cannot be underestimated.
Daryl Mitchell scored 418 runs in 9 matches. That includes the century he scored against India. New Zealand’s batting has become stronger after the return of captain Kane Williamson from injury.
Boult vs top order
Indians may not have forgotten Trent Boult’s spell in the 2019 semi-finals. Boult can be more dangerous on a Wankhede pitch that favors swing bowling.
Leg spinner Mitch Santner has taken 16 wickets in 9 matches and is New Zealand’s most successful bowler. The fifth bowler’s 10 overs is New Zealand’s weak point and Team India will benefit from it.
Second semi-final
Australia vs South Africa
Date: Thursday, November 16
Venue: Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata
Will South Africa make history?
South Africa has reached the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup for the fifth time. But, in all the previous four matches, their challenge ended in the semi-finals.
The most important question is whether Temba Bavuma’s team will break the losing streak and make history by reaching the finals.
South Africa have batted first five times in this tournament. He has scored more than 300 runs in each of these matches. It has crossed the mark of 350 four times.
Batting for the second time, they have lost two out of four matches. They have to struggle for victory in the other two matches as well.
Australia can take advantage of this South African weakness when they win the toss.
Australia’s seasoned bowlers have solid experience of bowling in big matches. Legspinner Adam Zampa has taken 22 wickets in 9 matches in this tournament.
The fate of Africa’s innings will be determined by how spin bowlers Markaram and Klaasen play Zampa.
The most successful team
After the first two defeats, the Australian team has performed strongly in this tournament. Strong batting is the main reason for this performance.
David Warner, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh have scored centuries in this tournament. Glenn Maxwell broke many records and scored a double century against Afghanistan.
Australia’s strong batting was bowled out for just 177 runs in the match against South Africa.
Africa has a diverse batting line-up like Rabada, Coetzee, Johnson, Maharaj, Shamsi, Ngidi. Africa have defeated Australia in the last four ODIs.
This is one thing the South African side has to say when they take the field in Kolkata. But, they are facing the most successful team in World Cup history.
The second semi-final between South Africa, who come with the intention of changing history, and Australia, backed by a strong history, could be the most intense match of the World Cup.