ODI World Cup 2023: India on quest to settle down last year's semifinals loss against New Zealand

Ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023, Indian fans are hoping for a winning campaign for the hosts. However, the Indian team will be looking to overcome an underrated threat. The threat possessed by two-time finalists New Zealand. The team that shattered billions of Indians' dreams of winning multinational tournaments twice in the last four years will be one of the biggest threats to Rohit Sharma and the company.

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India has failed to register a single victory against New Zealand in do-or-die games or in multinational tournaments in the last twenty years. In the 2019 World Cup, New Zealand won the game by 17 runs and eliminated India from the tournament. In the 2021 T20I World Cup, a poor outing against the Kiwis once again eliminated India from the prestigious event. Finally, in the previous World Test Championship Finals, the Kiwis once again shattered India's dreams.

Lastly, in the 2003 World Cup, India defeated New Zealand and qualified for the finals, only to lose against Australia. With a billion dreams on his shoulders, India skipper Rohit Sharma will be keen to get better of the Kiwis. However, it will not be an easy task considering the pitch and team strength of the spectators.

Can India beat New Zealand in the upcoming World Cup?

Comparing both squads and conditions, it's very difficult to say who will have the upper hand. The seaming conditions in Dharamshala will surely assist pacers. The biggest threat to the Indian team will be the left-arm pace duo of New Zealand. Trent Boult and Tim Southee have a great record against Indian batters, and the seaming conditions in Dharamshala will surely assist them.

To overcome the Kiwi challenge, India will surely need to fight hard, which makes this battle one of the most interesting and important ones. It's worth noting that India will start their campaign against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8. They will face arch-rival Pakistan at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14. Meanwhile, the Men in Blue will take on New Zealand at HPCA Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala on October 22.