World Cup 2023: What happened the last time India-New Zealand met in 2019 WC semi-final?

India will take on New Zealand in the first World Cup 2023 semi-final on Wednesday, November 15, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This encounter holds extra significance as India will look to bounce back from their loss to the Kiwis in the 2019 tournament’s semifinal at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.

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In the 2019 semi-final, held on July 9 and 10 (Reserve Day), India, having topped the group, took on fourth-placed New Zealand. New Zealand, led by Ross Taylor (74) and Kane Williamson (67), posted a target of 239/8. And then under cloudy skies, early strikes by Matt Henry (3/37) and Trent Boult (2/42) left India in a precarious position at 24/4.

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Despite the shaky start, India’s middle order, anchored by MS Dhoni, showcased resilience. Teaming up with Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni’s gritty 50 off 72 balls gave India some hope and brought them close to the finishing line. However, the pivotal moment of the match occurred when MS Dhoni was run out by Martin Guptill. Dhoni’s dismissal at 216/8 marked the end of India’s resistance, and they finished at 221, losing by 18 runs. Matt Henry was adjudged player of the match for his terrific spell with the new ball.

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Earlier in the game, New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, chose to bat. The Kiwis stuttered to 211 runs for the loss of five wickets before rain suspended play with less than four overs remaining. Play resumed on the reserve day and New Zealand posted 239 runs on board. Williamson and Ross Taylor contributed half-centuries with scores of 67 and 74, respectively, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked three wickets in 10 overs with an economy rate of 4.3.

“We got what we needed in the field. We knew we had a good day yesterday, we felt like we had the moment, but the credit has to go to NZ bowlers. The swing and help they got from the surface - the skill from them was on display,” Indian captain Virat Kohli said after the match.

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Incidentally, this was also MS Dhoni’s final appearance in international cricket as he called it quits one year after this disappointing loss for his team. This year, India is the form team after having beaten New Zealand by four wickets at Dharamsala on Sunday, October 22.