Cricket World Cup: Ross Taylor says India will be nervous about facing this New Zealand team | Cricket-world-cup News

India might be headed into the Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand as the overwhelming favourites, but former Black Caps cricketer Ross Taylor believes that the hosts will be “nervous” taking on the Kiwis at the Wankhede Stadium later this week.
“When we have nothing to lose, New Zealand teams can be dangerous. If there is a team that India will be nervous facing, it will be this New Zealand side,” Taylor wrote in his column for ICC.
India topped the standings at the end of the group stage, winning all nine of their matches. They defeated New Zealand four wickets in Dharamsala.
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It must be noted that at the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, India had also faced New Zealand in the semi-finals at Manchester. Back then as well, India had form on their side. But they had lost to the Kiwis 18 runs.
The parallels were not lost on Taylor.
“As New Zealand prepare to take on India in the 2023 semi-finals, it is impossible not to look back at the parallels with 2019. Four years ago, India went into the semi-final in Manchester as the form side in the tournament, while we were more focused on ensuring our net run-rate would keep Pakan out of reach for the final spot in the top four. This time around, India are even bigger favourites, at home and having played so well during the group stage. At Old Trafford, I’d say the crowd was probably about 80% Indian, with a sprinkling of New Zealand friends and family and then some English. We had to back ourselves in that game,” wrote Taylor.
Talking about the upcoming match at the Wankhede Stadium, Taylor wrote: “Mumbai is usually a ground where you can expect big scores, but the big test for New Zealand will be dealing with the conditions. The toss is important but if New Zealand can start well with bat and ball, that will give them a lot of confidence to stay in the fight. The first ten overs in both innings are crucial. When India are batting, you want to get them two or three down in the first ten overs to put them under pressure. They rely heavily on an excellent top three. We need to try to make inroads and put the middle order under pressure. If you can do that, it stifles them and affects how early they can assert their dominance. Most Read
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“Then when India are bowling, it is similar. You want to score runs but it is also vital we keep wickets in hand against weapons like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. When they get on a roll, they can be a lethal force, and the spinners can really pile on the pressure. If you keep wickets in hand, that is when it becomes a bit easier, rather than having to chase the game.”
Taylor then picked out Indian-origin player Rachin Ravindra as the man to watch out for.
“It will be a big day for Rachin Ravindra. When you have a guy who is named after a combination of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, it is special to play India in India in a World Cup semi-final. We needed someone to score heavily in the tournament. I am not sure many people would have expected it to be Rachin but I have been really impressed, not only the runs he has scored but also the way he has gone about it, his tempo and calmness. He is just going out there and batting like he did as a little kid. He has not put any pressure on himself and I hope he continues to do that. He has a big part to play in the semi-final and in the future for New Zealand. It is funny to think that if Michael Bracewell had made it to the World Cup, Rachin probably would not have made it. Luck has probably played a part, but we all need that.”