India’s win over Sri Lanka and Australia’s defeat to South Africa ensured that Virat Kohli’s team ended the round-robin phase on top of the log.
That means they will meet fourth-placed New Zealand in the first semi-final to be played at Old Trafford.
Cricket World Cup 2019 | Tuesday 10 July 2019 | Old Trafford, Manchester | 11:30
To Win Match
India 36/100
Tie 40/1
New Zealand 23/10
India
India have suffered just one defeat throughout the round-robin phase and deservedly sit on top of the table but their previous meeting with the Black Caps was rained off without a ball being bowled.
There shouldn’t be too much that the India squad doesn’t know about an opponent whom they should have scoped out pretty well throughout the event.
India are clearly in good touch suffering only minor stutters on the way to the top four with all departments making contributions towards the success of the team.
Rohit Sharma hit a record-equaling sixth World Cup ton in the final group game against Sri Lanka, reaching the mark faster than holder Sachin Tendulkar. The hundred was also his fifth of the tournament, a record for a single event. His partnership with Shikhar Dhawan was severed by the latter’s injury but that hasn’t stopped him from leading the way with the bat.
Sharma’s new opening partner Lokesh Rahul ended the round-robin stage with a hundred as well while Kohli, who has yet to ton up this World Cup saw the chase through.
India would be pleased that South Africa beat Australia which sees them matched against the out-of-touch New Zealand.
New Zealand
The Black Caps did enough to make the semi-finals but a string of narrow wins against teams that India dominated will not give them much confidence heading into the semi-finals.
New Zealand will have to put the end of the round-robin phase behind them, knowing that it no longer has any bearing but it is difficult to see them outgunning India in a straight shootout on a good surface.
A misbehaving pitch would be the Black Caps best chance given that their own explosive opening pair have yet to really fire.
Captain courageous Kane Williamson has done the bulk of the batting work but has been well backed up by his fast bowlers.
The Black Caps have lost their last three matches and before that, they won in the final over twice in-a-row giving their team form a distinct downward trend.
Verdict: India
Proteas skipper Faf Du Plessis knows these two teams well and he has backed India to take the whole thing.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
