Former India batter Aakash Chopra said this New Zealand side isn’t looking like the team that used to trouble India in ODI World Cups. The Men in Blue will take on New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15.
ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023: Full Coverage
Speaking on his Youtube channel, Chopra said New Zealand aren’t looking like the side that used to trouble India, while insisting that their bowling is looking weak. India will be taking on New Zealand in the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup for the second successive time.
“The semi-final line-up is ready now. India are going to play New Zealand, and New Zealand have slightly been a bogey team for us. They trouble us a lot but thankfully we have broken that jinx. This New Zealand is not looking like the same team that used to trouble us because the bowling is looking weak. They generally don’t have a bowling like this. They bowl better than this,” said Chopra.
He went on to say that Tim Southee is not the same bowler as he once was. The 34-year-old has picked four wickets in three games in this World Cup.
“Although Trent Boult picked up wickets in the last match, he had not been great in the entire tournament before that. Even if they play Tim Southee, he’s not the same bowler. Lockie Ferguson is very decent but then Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra or Daryl Mitchell are there,” Chopra added.
India topped the group stages after winning eight group matches (the last match against the Netherlands on November 12) and will now play New Zealand on Wednesday, November 15.
Meanwhile, South Africa, who finished second in the group stages, will now play third-placed Australia at the Eden Gardens in the second semi-final on Thursday, November 16.