Cricket World Cup 2023: “Looking forward to it,” Kane Williamson can’t wait for potential clash with India in the semi-finals

Kane Williamson can't wait for the challenge of facing the hosts in the 1st semi-final.

Cricket World Cup 2023: “Looking forward to it,” Kane Williamson can’t wait for potential clash with India in the semi-finals

Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli shake hands after the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup Semi-Finals (Image via ESPN)

After New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets, they were close to sealing their spot in the semi-finals to face India. As long as Pakistan don’t win by 287 runs or chase their target in 2.3 overs, New Zealand will play in the Wankhede Stadium against India on the 15th of November. 

In the post-match presentation, Kiwi captain Kane Williamson spoke about their win and the prospect of them facing India. Kane said he hoped the team had some free time, but the team are excited to face India in the semi-finals. 

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Hopefully we can get a couple of days off, we'll be hanging around, not really sure what we'll do. Playing semis is special but playing the home team will be challenging. Looking forward to it if we are fortunate enough to have it

Kane Williamson in the post-match presentation

India were the first team to qualify for the semi finals and are so far unbeaten in the tournament. As no team can mathematically overtake India, they have been confirmed as the first team in the first semi-final. As long as Pakistan don’t bat first against England, New Zealand will be confirmed in the same fixture and will face off the hosts in Mumbai. 

India vs New Zealand in ICC events 

India has had a dismal record against the Kiwis in ICC events. Before beating them in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, India had last beaten New Zealand in the 2003 ICC ODI World Cup. For the next 20 years, India failed to beat them in 6 fixtures. 

MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is run out by an amazing throw by Martin Guptill (Image via ESPN)

The first time they faced each other after the 2003 triumph was in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, where India lost by 10 runs. They played 9 years later in the 2016 T20 World Cup, where India lost the opening match to the Kiwis. 

The two sides then met in the 2019 ODI World Cup, but their group stage match was washed out. They later met again in the semi-finals, which New Zealand once again won. India and New Zealand then faced each other in the Inaugural World Test Championship finals, in which India lost yet again. They lost again in the 2021 T20 World Cup, which was their 5th loss since 2003. 

India finally broke their losing streak in 2023, when finally India won by 4 wickets. The two teams will potentially meet each other in the 1st semi-final, a rematch of the 2019 semi-final.

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