Former England skipper Nasser Hussain feels if there is one team that won’t bow down to India, it’s New Zealand. The Kiwis are known to punch above their weight and have performed consistently in major events. The previous edition’s runners-up had beaten India in the 2019 World Cup semifinal by 18 runs. India’s top-order had crumbled like a pack of cards in 2019 and they could not get over the line after Matt Henry’s superb spell.
However, when these two teams met earlier in the ongoing ODI showpiece, India won by four wickets after Mohammed Shami bagged a five-wicket haul (5-54) whereas Virat Kohli scored a match-winning 95 runs in the run-chase.
The Blackcaps have troubled the Indian team in big matches of the major events and they will once again look to come up with a collective show.
Hussain tipped India as a favorite but feels it won’t be a cakewalk for the Rohit Sharma-led team in the big knockout match.
“Two fabulous teams; India obviously favorites, but if there is one side that really won’t bow down to India, it will be New Zealand. They have some fabulously tough cricketers; they have a youngster in Rachin Ravindra,” Hussain was quoted as saying to Sky Sports.
Hussain expects an electric atmosphere at the Wankhede for the big semifinal between these two potent teams.
“I am really looking forward to tomorrow. This place, round about evening when the light starts taking effect, with Kohli coming out to bat, would be absolutely electric,” he added.
India has come up with a collective show with both bat and ball and they will look to continue the good show against the Blackcaps. In the end, the team that will handle the pressure better, will hold the advantage.
India will take New Zealand in the semifinals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday.
