World Cup 2019: Rain threat looms over India vs New Zealand semi-final

Come Tuesday and India will take on New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2019. The game will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, and it will be the first time these two teams will meet each other in this World Cup. Their league match at Trent Bridge on June 13 was washed out and they had to settle with splitting a point each. Now, there is a possibility that their semi-final game could also be under rain threat.

According to the British Met department, there is 50 per cent chance of rain around 10 am local time and since the game is scheduled to have a 10.30 am start, there could actually be a late beginning to the match. However, the rain threat looks less dangerous for the knock-out games have a reserve day in store in case there is an intervention by the elements. In case, no play is possible either on the scheduled day or reserve day, India will go through to the final owing to their higher position in the points table.

Team India finished at the top of the table with 15 points while New Zealand ended fourth with 11 points. It was because South Africa beat Australia in the final league game that India toppled Australia from the top position. The Aussies will play hosts England in the second semi-final at Edgbaston on Thursday.

India yet to beat New Zealand at the World Cup in England

Overall, India and New Zealand have met 106 times in ODIs with the former winning 55 of them and the latter 45. One game was tied while five ended without a result. At the World Cup, though, New Zealand have a 4-3 lead over the Men in Blue with wins in 1975, 1979, 1992 and 1999. India, who won twice in 1987 and 2003, are yet to beat the Kiwis at the World Cup on English soil. The last time these two teams met at the quadrennial event was in 2003 when India won by 7 wickets.

Tuesday’s game will be India’s seventh semi-final at the World Cup and eighth for the Blackcaps. However, the New Zealanders have managed to win just one of their past seven semi-finals while for India, it has been three wins and as many losses from six occasions.