Amidst an atmosphere of soaring confidence, the Rohit Sharma-led Team India landed in Mumbai on Monday, gearing up for their high-stakes ICC World Cup 2023 semi-finals against New Zealand on Wednesday. The Men in Blue concluded the league round with a dominating 160-run victory over the Netherlands, maintaining their unbeaten record in the tournament.
As the players emerged from the terminal, a crowd of enthusiastic fans cheered and chanted the names of their favourite players. Captain Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and India’s head coach Rahul Dravid were among those seen making their way to the team bus.
India has been formidable throughout the tournament, setting up a clash against New Zealand, a team that has historically posed challenges for them in major championships. In the 2019 semi-finals, India faced a defeat by 18 runs against the same opponent, creating a narrative that the current team aims to rewrite. The semi-final will be a significant test for India, given their past struggles in major competitions.
New Zealand secured the fourth spot in the tournament, displacing Pakistan and Afghanistan. The upcoming semi-final promises a thrilling encounter, with India showcasing excellence in batting, fielding, and bowling. In the other semi-final, Australia will confront South Africa on Thursday at Eden Gardens. The cricketing world anticipates intense battles as the teams vie for a spot in the ICC World Cup 2023 final.