ODI World Cup 2023: 5 players to watch out for in IND vs NZ semi final clash

India have been the strongest side in the ODI World Cup 2023. The Men in Blue have won all their 9 matches in the group stage and are the only unbeaten side in the tournament so far. All the department of the team has given their best on and off the field. Rohit Sharma has led the side with example as he gave the team the start from the top of the order and set the stage for other batters. 

New Zealand on the other side started the campaign well winning the first four matches in the competition. They lost their last 4 games and made their qualification difficult at one point but their big margin win against Sri Lanka in the last group game made their qualification secure for the semi-final. 

Both team players have performed well and led their team to the knockout stages. With the stage set for the knockouts at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Wednesday. In the article, we will look at the players who can turn things around for their side and help qualify for the final. 

Here are the 5 players to watch out for in IND vs NZ

5. Trent Boult

Trent Boult's exceptional ability to swing the ball both ways and consistently hit the right line and length makes him a continuous threat to batters all over the world. He tends to get vital wickets at crucial times. Boult's ODI career contribution to New Zealand's team in international tournaments has been unimaginable. He played a crucial role in the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cup. The pacer has picked up 13 wickets in 9 games. 

4. Rohit Sharma

Team India's captain has been exceptional for the side he has given the team the best start and set the stage for the other batter for the side. He has made 503 runs in 9 innings for his side and scored one hundred in the tournament at an average of 55.88 so far but the impactful innings that he has played have been more important for the side. The batter has broken several records in the tournament while batting.

3. Rachin Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra has been the best young player in the competition. He has scored 565 runs in nine matches so far. The left-handed batter has an average of 70.63 and a strike rate of 108.45. The opener has three centuries and two half-centuries. Rachin became the first Kiwi batter to score three hundred in a single edition of the tournament. 

2. Mohammed Shami

Shami was not part of the XI in the first few matches for India. But since Hardik Pandya's injury as he got chance he did not look back from there. In five games, Shami has picked 16 wickets. The fast bowler has two five-wicket hauls to his name. He has a 9.56 average and a 4.78 economy. The 33-year-old bowler has been the highest wicket-taker for India in the ODI World Cup history with 47 wickets. 

1. Virat Kohli 

Kohli has been in exceptional form in the competition. He has 594 runs in 9 matches and is the highest run-scorer in the tournament so far. He is batting at an outstanding average of 99 and has a strike rate of 88.52. The batter scored the 49th ODI century tying with the great Sachin Tendulkar's record.