World Cup 2023: India Opt To Bat After Winning Toss Against Kiwis In All-Important Semifinal Clash

Mumbai: India won the toss and opted to bat in the first semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023 against New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.

Both teams are playing with the same teams that they fielded in their final group-stage games.

Elaborating on his decision, Rohit Sharma said that the wicket looked good but could get slower as the game progressed, something which Black Caps’ skipper Kane Williamson alluded to as well which is why he wanted to bat first as well.

Also Read: World Cup 2023: Slow Pitch Expected For Wankhede Semifinal As India Look To Avenge 2019 Heartbreak

Notably, India have remained unbeaten having won all their nine league matches, while New Zealand managed to clinch the last semi-final slot by winning their concluding league fixture against Sri Lanka.

Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wk), Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson