India Finds the New Zealand Obstacle Once More

New Zealand, known to be the perennial underdogs has been a huge headache for the Indian Team. Since 2016, New Zealand has consistently sprung a surprise as India looked ahead too far while seemingly overlooking the New Zealand unit. In the 2016 T20 World Cup, India came in favorites for the opening encounter. Kane Williamson, in his first tournament as captain, read the pitch so well and managed to surprise MS Dhoni’s men.

In 2021 he and New Zealand did the same to Virat Kohli. New Zealand delivered what turned out to be the knock-out blow for India as they failed to qualify for the Semi-Finals with losses to Pakistan and then New Zealand. Needing a win to keep themselves in contention without having to rely on the others India fell pray to left-arm seam again. They struggled to a mediocre score as Kane Williamson led the way in a simple chase.

The two sides faced off in the WTC Finals as well in 2021. India, after some really good performances, came into the Finals while New Zealand scraped through on the back of a strong run in the back-end of their WTC Cycle. On the day though, New Zealand seemed to read and adapt to the conditions better. They went with no-spinners while India chose to use both Ashwin and Jadeja. New Zealand’s strategy turned out to be the better one as they won their first ICC Trophy.

The most heart-breaking encounter of them all though remains the 2019 World Cup. India once again dominated and topped the group stage. They only lost one game, to England. New Zealand though came into the Semi-Finals after a below-par second half. They lost to Pakistan, England, and Australia, while winning close games against Bangladesh and South Africa.

Finishing fourth, they had India in their sights. India, favorites to face England in the Finals started well started well. Restricting New Zealand to 239, it was with them as the game went into a reserve day. The day wasn’t meant to be for India though as Trent Boult and Matt Henry ripped through India’s top three. Rohit, Rahul, and Kohli out for 1 each and Dinesh Karthik following them a few overs later left India in all sorts of trouble.

Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant started a brief fightback before going against the run of play. In the end, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni took India as close as they could after joining hands at 92-6. With a mountain to climb India’s greatest finisher was at it again. Biding his time, taking the game deep, and allowing Jadeja to tee off.

With Jadeja gone though the responsibility fell on his shoulders for what turned out to be one last attempt to save India. Dhoni raised the hopes of the fans as a nation’s fortunes rested on his shoulders. His six-over point of Ferguson got them going, but it was short-lived. Two balls later, MS Dhoni, the legend, fell short of his crease by a mere few inches.

While knock-outs have been a concern for them over a decade, that one encounter against New Zealand remains an encounter embedded into the mind. Like last time, India is back in the Semi-Finals. They are on top of the table as well like before. New Zealand to replicate 2019 after finishing fourth.

With past memories in mind, the Indian Team, with five players from that day still in the eleven will be eager to settle things. Once again, it is New Zealand that stands in India’s way. While India did win in the league stage, New Zealand can be a different side against the Indians in the biggest of stages. Regardless, both sides will be eager to get out and settle things on the 15th. A place in the Final awaits as Wankhede sets itself up for a silent rivalry.