The South Africa men's cricket team often faces the label of "chokers," while New Zealand is considered the eternal underdog. However, when it comes to ICC white-ball cricket events, New Zealand boasts an impressive record.
Despite being tagged as "chokers," the Black Caps have reached the semifinals of nine out of the 13 Men's ODI World Cups and four times in the T20 World Cup. However, they are yet to secure a title, finishing as runners-up twice in the 50-over events (2015, 2019) and once in T20.
Interestingly, New Zealand has maintained a perfect record against India in the knockout stages of Men's ODI World Cups, never losing to them. Despite India breaking a jinx in a recent match, New Zealand holds the upper hand in overall white-ball encounters, winning nine out of 14 matches in ICC tournaments.
The most significant defeat for India against New Zealand in recent history was the 18-run loss in the semi-final of the 2019 ODI World Cup. In a rain-affected match, New Zealand posted 239/8, and India fell short, losing key wickets early in the chase.
India's struggles against New Zealand date back to the first World Cup in 1975, and despite a few wins in between, the Black Caps have consistently had the edge. With another crucial clash set in the World Cup semifinal, India will be eager to break the knockout stage jinx against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium. However, New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson downplays the historical significance, emphasizing that current circumstances are different.
Yeah, I mean I think the game will be a little bit different. It might be played over one day rather than two, looking at the weather, but at the same time teams work hard to get to this stage, they have to play a lot of good cricket within the format or the structure of the tournament to get here over such a long period of time. It's a great occasion and it's on the day. Both teams are looking to play their best cricket and compete in the best way that they can," said Williamson.
The Indian cricket team has showcased an impressive unbeaten streak in the 2023 edition, securing victories in all nine matches. Their remarkable performance has positioned them as favorites heading into the semifinals. In contrast, New Zealand clinched the fourth and final spot, barely making it to the semis.
Despite India's current form suggesting they are the team to beat, cricket has a history of unpredictable outcomes, especially when these two teams face each other. Past experiences have shown that anything can happen on a given day, irrespective of the format of the game. The uncertainty and excitement surrounding clashes between India and New Zealand add an element of unpredictability to the upcoming semifinal match, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
(With Agency Inputs)
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