World Cup 2023: Team India reach Mumbai ahead of semi-final against New Zealand; Coaching staff inspects Wankhede pitch

Rohit Sharma-led Team India landed in Mumbai on Wednesday, two days before their blockbuster 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table India are scheduled to take on New Zealand in the first semi-final of the World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

“You believe in . We believe in . #OneFamily #Mumbaiindians #CWC23 #INDvNZ,” Mumbai Indians (MI) posted on their official Instagram handle.

Shortly after landing in Mumbai, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambhrey and fielding coach T Dilip inspected the Wankhede pitch which will be used for the first semi-final against New Zealand. While India players did not train on Monday, with the Men in Blue only having beaten Netherlands on Sunday, New Zealand players spent three hours training under lights as they look to correct their recent mistakes, news agency PTI reported. The Kiwi batters had a long hits at the nets. Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway all took batting practice in rotation. The Kiwi pace trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson also had a bowling stint, and so did Rachin Ravindra. India, meanwhile, are coming on the back of an unbeaten run in the round-robin stage of the World Cup, with nine wins in as many matches. The Men in Blue finished on top spot in the points table with 18 points. While Virat Kohli (594) and Rohit Sharma (503) have had a good tournament with the bat so far, the pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have also been very effective, sharing 45 wickets between them. Against the Black Caps, India will look to bury the ghosts of their 18-run defeat that they suffered in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup in England. India had beaten the Kiwis in their league stage contest by four wickets, with Mohammed Shami claiming a five-fer. South Africa face Australia in the other semi-final in Kolkata on Thursday. The final takes place at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on 19 November.