At the halfway mark of their round-robin campaign, India find themselves sitting at the second spot on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 points table. In other words, they have placed themselves firmly in the semi-final zone. Their start to the campaign has been on expected line but the manner of their victories surely has raised hopes.
Not one of their victories has come after a tough fight barring that little phase against Australia in Chennai when they lost three batters for two runs in two overs. That horror of a start swiftly gave way to a facile win. The next three performances were dominating to sat the least.
ICC World Cup: Schedule | Results | Points Table | Most Runs | Most Wickets
The team now faces, arguably, its biggest challenge of the tournament thus far. They run into New Zealand next in Dharamsala, a team that has had a perfect start to the campaign as well having won all their four matches.
The followers of the Indian team remember the painful memories of the last time these two rivals clashed at an ODI World Cup. India exited the 2019 world cup in the semi-final stage with New Zealand winning the rain-affected contest that was played across two days.
New Zealand are India’s bogey team at ICC events. They haven’t beaten the Kiwis in global events in 20 years now, a streak that began after their last win over them at the 2003 ODI World Cup when India made it to the final.
India will be out to end that jinx today in Dharamsala but their team balance has taken a hit. Hardik Pandya, who suffered an injury during the Bangladesh contest, will not be part of their playing XI against New Zealand.
Pandya’s Replacement
Is there a like-for-like replacement for Hardik? No. So, then who takes his place?
The allrounder has effectively been the third pacer for India at this world cup and hence, his absence will be felt. So, who takes his place? A pacer? A batter?
The Case for Ishan, SKY and Shami
Considering India have a quality pacer in Mohammed Shami warming the benches, his inclusion seems to be an obvious choice. But that lengthens their tail and the focus has been all about batting as deep as possible.
India have taken the field with Shardul Thakur, a bowler India coach Rahul Dravid has defended despite him leaking runs for his knack of taking wickets. That Shami hasn’t played a single game at the ongoing tournament explains very well what the team management is thinking.
Shardul has made the cut ahead of Shami because of what he can do with the bat. With him not required thus far since India’s top and middle-order has done the job, India can bench him for this New Zealand contest and include an extra batter in either Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav.
New Zealand have a couple of good left-arm spinners in their team. Playing someone like Ishan Kishan, a left-handed batter, makes sense to counter their threat.
However, Suryakumar, who like Shami is yet to get a game, can be lethal against spinners. And Dravid has said India might need an ‘enforcer in the lower middle order’ which makes Suryakumar a better option ahead of Ishan.
Fitness Concerns
Ishan was bitten by a honeybee while Suryakumar took a blow to his wrist during the training session on Saturday raising concerns in the Indian camp. However, Suryakumar is expected to be fit for the New Zealand clash and hence could likely make his ODI World Cup debut on Sunday.
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