BackPredicted India line-up for semifinal against New Zealand at Old Trafford
India take on New Zealand in the first semi final of the ICC cricket World Cup 2019New Zealand have lost their last three matches at ICC cricket World Cup while India have won their last two
PremiumNEW DELHI : It seemed unlikely at the start of the last match that India could finish at the top of the table after the first phase of ICC cricket World Cup 2019, but Australia losing to South Africa by 10 runs meant that they did.
And it was a validation for Virat and Co, who have been outstanding for most of the tournament and fully deserve their spot at the top of the table.
The reward for the Men in Blue now is a semifinal against New Zealand, who just scraped into the top four by the skin of their collective teeth, at Old Trafford on Tuesday. The Kiwis have also hit a bit of a rough patch with the form, losing their last three matches having won five out of their first six, while their game against India was washed out.
India, as things stand, go into the match as favourites and having rested a few players in the last few matches leading up to semis will be returning to a full strength team.
Here is Livemint’s predicted India line-up for a mouth-watering semifinal against New Zealand at Old Trafford.
1) Rohit Sharma – Has broken a number of World Cup records in the last few matches and could add a few more in the game against New Zealand.
2) KL Rahul – Has hit the form at exactly the right time with a century and a fifty in last two games and has two big first wicket partnerships with Rohit.
3) Virat Kohli – Big stages are the occasions where big players make their mark and in the semi Virat Kohli will look to put New Zealand to the sword.
4) Rishabh Pant – Didn’t have his best game against Sri Lanka but has played good cameos in the tournament and will be looking to do more against the Kiwis.
5) MS Dhoni – Has been criticised in the tournament but has been consistent in the competition with both bat and behind the wickets.
6) Dinesh Karthik – He is a good finisher and has shown that on numerous occasions, although he hasn’t had too many opportunities in the tournament, he will be relishing playing in such a big game.
7) Hardik Pandya – Has really come on leaps and bounds, especially with the ball in the tournament and picked up crucial wickets at crucial times. He has done his job well with the bat as well and is an important cog in India’s wheel.
8) Mohammed Shami – Started the tournament as India’s third seamer but thanks to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s injury came into the team and hasn’t looked back. He can use reverse swing as well at pace and that is his added advantage.
9) Kuldeep Yadav – Was rested in the game against Bangladesh and struggled a bit against Sri Lanka, but has been exceptional in the tournament and did well against the Kiwis in the bilateral series earlier this year.
10) Yuzvendra Chahal – He was rested against Sri Lanka and prior to that game was brilliant in the tournament. He and Kuldeep will be looking to spin a web around the NZ batsman in the middle overs.
11) Jasprit Bumrah – Has been in sparkling form right through the World Cup but in the last few matches has recaptured his wicket taking form and that augurs well for India.
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