India Set For New Zealand Clash In World Cup
India may be the outstanding team at the World Cup but coach Rahul Dravid has warned Wednesday's semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai represents the "pointy end in a tournament".
Sunday's 160-run defeat of the Netherlands left hosts India with a perfect played nine, won nine record -- the first time any side had achieved such a feat at a World Cup featuring a round-robin format.
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India are well-stocked in all departments, with star man Virat Kohli the tournament's leading batsman with 594 runs and captain Rohit Sharma not far behind on 503.
The experienced duo have scored three hundreds between them, while the likes of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul both appear to be coming into form at the right time following their centuries against the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, India boast a formidable fast-bowling line-up in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami.
If successful teams are fortunate as well as good, then India certainly had a lucky break when an injury to all-rounder Hardik Pandya paved the way for Shami's return, with the experienced seamer having since taken 16 wickets in five matches at a stunningly low average of under 10.
In addition spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are also capable of taking wickets without being flogged for runs.
And yet the fact remains India have been waiting since a 2011 triumph over Sri Lanka in Mumbai to win a third World Cup title, while their last major piece of silverware was the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Four years ago, New Zealand defeated India by just 18 runs in a rain-affected World Cup semi-final in Manchester that spanned two days, with the Black Caps also beating India in the inaugural 2021 World Test Championship final.
Five of the India side who featured in the 2019 semi-final -- Rohit, Kohli, Rahul, Bumrah and Jadeja -- are set to be involved again on Wednesday.
"You're at a pointy end in a tournament now," said Dravid.
"There is going to be certain amount of pressure but I think the way we have responded to the pressure so far gives us a lot of belief."
Dravid's argument is supported by the manner of India's four-wicket win against New Zealand in the group stage at Dharamsala last month.
