The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup wrapped up with Australia beating India in the much awaited final, securing their sixth World Cup title with a six-wicket win. Across the tournament, numerous players showcased their skills and made their mark on the pitch. Let’s take a look at the top performers of ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. Top Batters in ICC World Cup 2023 Table: Best 5 batters in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup Tournament Player Matches Innings Runs High Score Average Strike Rate 100s 50s Virat Kohli (IND) 11 11 765 117 95.62 90.31 3 6 Rohit Sharma (IND) 11 11 597 131 54.27 125.94 1 3 Quinton de Kock (SA) 10 10 594 174 59.40 107.02 4 - Rachin Ravindra (NZ) 10 10 578 123* 64.22 106.44 3 2 Daryl Mitchell (NZ) 10 9 552 134 69.00 111.06 2 2 Virat Kohli (IND) Virat Kohli’s performance in the World Cup 2023 was nothing short of extraordinary. He scored six 50s and three centuries, setting a new tournament record with an aggregate of 765 runs. This surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of 673 by an impressive margin of 92 runs. Kohli’s crucial innings, particularly his 85 against Australia in India’s tournament opener when they were 2 for 3, established the tone for his outstanding run. While much attention was given to his personal milestones, such as his 49th and 50th ODI centuries, Kohli ensured that his brisk run-scoring consistently contributed to the team’s success. Virat Kohli was honored with the Player of the Tournament award for his exceptional performance. Read more: Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Showing Light of Hope Rohit Sharma (IND) In nine out of 11 innings, Rohit Sharma consistently scored at least 40 runs, showcasing amazing consistency. In eight of these innings, he maintained a scoring rate of over a run per ball, achieving a strike rate exceeding 150 on four occasions. Balancing both run-scoring and quick-scoring is often challenging, but Rohit successfully managed it throughout the entire tournament. He secured the position of the second-highest run-scorer and among the 13 batsmen with at least 400 runs. Rohit’s 401 runs in the first powerplay were an impressive 54% better than the next-best (David Warner’s 260), and he contributed to 58% of India’s total runs while at the crease. Quinton de Kock (SA) In his farewell appearance in the 50-over World Cup format, South Africa’s Quinton de Kock ensured he departed with cherished memories, delivering an impressive performance. The left-hander scored 594 runs in ten games at an average of 59.40 with a 107.02 strike rate. Despite the Proteas being eliminated in the semi-final, De Kock’s remarkable contribution included four centuries, the highest in the tournament. These centuries not only delighted South African supporters but also entertained neutral fans, leaving a lasting impression in his last World Cup. Rachin Ravindra (NZ) In his debut World Cup appearance, New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra made a significant impact by emerging as the highest-scoring Kiwi batsman at the 2023 edition. With a total of 578 runs and an impressive average of 64.22, Ravindra showcased his talent on the global stage. The left-hander illuminated the tournament with a brilliant century on the opening day against England. Demonstrating consistency and expertise with the bat, the 24-year-old Kiwi has undoubtedly set the stage for a promising future in international cricket. Daryl Mitchell (NZ) With Kane Williamson sidelined for a significant part of the tournament, New Zealand relied on other top-order batsmen to step up, and Daryl Mitchell, along with Rachin Ravindra, delivered splendid performances. Mitchell impressively scored at over a run per ball in seven out of nine innings, displaying crucial intent that disrupted bowlers and allowed New Zealand to score rapidly in the middle overs (11 to 40). Read more: ODI Batting Rankings: Mahmudullah’s ranking goes up During this phase, New Zealand’s run rate of 6.47 was the highest among all teams. Mitchell’s middle-order contributions were notable, accumulating 472 runs, second only to Kohli’s 576, at an excellent strike rate of 111.58. A significant factor in his success was his performance against spinners, scoring 234 runs at an average of 78 and a strike rate of 106.84.

In a remarkable display of sustained disciplined bowling, Australia restricted India to 240 all-out in 50 overs in the final of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Sunday in Ahmedabad. India was asked to bat first after losing the toss - a huge call by Pat Cummins that defied conventional wisdom. World Cup 2023: Kohli Falls as Australia Take Control The hosts struggled to establish effective partnerships when they needed them most. Credit goes to the Australian pace attack, which denied the Indian batting line-up the chance to settle in. Virat Kohli and Lokesh Rahul both secured half-centuries, and the responsibility rested on them to carry India's hopes further. However, they couldn't defy the disciplined Australian attack. World Cup 2023 Final: India stumble, lose 3 wickets before reaching 100 Mitchell Starc led the charge, taking three wickets for 55 in 10 overs. He initiated the breakthrough by dismissing Shubman Gill. India lost three wickets before even reaching 100 runs. As on other occasions, Rohit Sharma had a promising and explosive start, but the Indian captain couldn't sustain his aggression. Shreyas Iyer, like Gill, failed to deliver on the biggest match of their lives. ICC World Cup 2023 Final: Australia ask India to bat first Josh Inglis, the Australian wicketkeeper, took five catches behind the wicket. For Australia, Starc claimed three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins took two wickets each. Prior to this match, Australia and India faced each other in another final of the ICC World Cup, which Australia won.

In the final of the ICC World Cup 2023 against Australia in Ahmedabad on Sunday, India lost three wickets before reaching 100 runs on the board. Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. India's Shubman Gill fell to a loose shot, caught by Adam Zampa, giving Mitchel Starc the first breakthrough. Read: ICC World Cup 2023 Final: Australia ask India to bat first  However, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli responded aggressively. In the seventh over, Virat hit Starc for three consecutive fours, quickly finding his rhythm. Rohit, maintaining his aggressive form throughout the World Cup, took on Glenn Maxwell in the 10th over but ended up playing a poor shot. Travis Head made a spectacular diving catch at cover, marking the catch of the match. In the next over, India lost Shreyas Iyer to Pat Cummins with a catch behind the wicket, as Shreyas missed a good connection. Read: ICC World Cup 2023: Stage set for grand final between Australia and India  After the 11th over, India stood at 82 for three. This is the second time India and Australia are facing each other in the World Cup final. In their previous encounter, Australia emerged victorious.

The last match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup is on Sunday, November 19, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India and Australia will play the final match, which will start at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time. The last time these two teams faced each other in a World Cup final was in 2003. Australia came out victorious, winning the game by 125 runs and securing their third World Cup trophy. Who do you think will win this time? Let's find out. Preview of India vs Australia ODI in ICC World Cup 2023 From losing the first two matches to reaching the final, Australia really improved their game through the last eight matches. Pat Cummins' team has shown an impressive turnaround after losing their first two matches in the tournament. They secured their spot in the final with a tense win against South Africa. The Eden Garden pitch was slow in the second semifinal, making it challenging for batsmen to score runs. Despite this, South Africa managed to post a total of 212 runs. However, Australia faced a tough task in chasing down this modest target. The struggle was evident as they teetered on the edge, but ultimately, they secured a spot in the final by winning the match with a margin of 3 wickets. The Australians faced considerable pressure from the Proteas, who managed to take 7 wickets. Despite this challenging situation, the Aussies made a comeback, securing a win thanks to the responsible batting of captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Starc finished the match not out with 16 runs, while Cummins contributed 14 runs. Travis Head was the top scorer for the team with 62 runs. Additionally, Steve Smith added 30 runs to the total, while David Warner was dismissed after scoring 29 runs. Read more: World Cup 2023: Australia secure final berth by beating South Africa in low-scoring affair This marks the eighth time Australia is participating in the World Cup Final, having previously won the trophy five times. Yet, if Australia emerges as the focal point by Sunday night, it indicates a significant setback for India. India will be looking for its third World Cup title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Their last victory came in 2011 when they defeated Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India has been the most impressive team in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, winning all 10 games in the tournament. They concluded the group stage at the top with nine wins in nine games, comfortably defeating almost every team in the competition. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, they secured a spot in the final by beating New Zealand in the semifinal at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium with a 70-run victory in a high-scoring match. Previously, India effortlessly defeated Australia by six wickets in their initial group-stage encounter, and there are no indications that their momentum will fade. Everything suggests that they are on track to win the tournament on their home ground, just as they did in 2011. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Kohli, Shreyas propel India to massive total in semifinal against New Zealand India vs Australia Head to Head in ODI So Far The cricketing rivalry between India and Australia in ODIs has been a fiercely contested battle, spanning a total of 150 matches. The head-to-head statistics reveal a closely fought competition, with Australia holding the advantage. Out of the 150 encounters, Australia emerged victorious in 83 matches, showcasing their dominance on multiple occasions. On the other hand, India secured triumph in 57 matches, illustrating their competitive spirit. Notably, there have been no tied matches in this intense rivalry, but 10 encounters ended with no result. India vs Australia ODI clashes have consistently provided fans with thrilling moments and cricketing excellence, making it one of the most anticipated and celebrated rivalries in the world of cricket. In the history of the ODI World Cup, Australia and India have faced each other thirteen times, with Australia holding an 8-5 advantage in their head-to-head record. The most recent encounter at the 2023 World Cup saw India emerging victorious, beating Australia by 6 wickets. Table: India vs Australia Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far Stats Matches India Won Australia Won No Result Tie Overall 150 57 83 10 0 ODI World Cups 13 5 8 0 0 Predicted XI for India Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj. Predicted XI for Australia Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne/Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Australia Men's ODI Squad Analysis Indian Players to Watch Virat Kohli Virat Kohli has surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs in a World Cup by scoring 711 runs, achieving this feat with a game to spare. Additionally, Kohli has now reached a milestone of 50 ODI centuries. As Virat is in great form, his performance in the final will be crucial. Mohammed Shami As it stands, Mohammed Shami has emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, an impressive feat considering he has played in only six matches. Shami's ability to consistently take wickets has undoubtedly contributed to his standout performance in the competition. And his 7 wicket haul in the last match was a record. So, Aussies will need to play Shami carefully in the final. Rohit Sharma In the 2023 ICC World Cup, Rohit Sharma has been the standout batsman for India, consistently delivering explosive starts that have frequently placed the team in advantageous positions. Further, he has a good record against Australia, scoring 2332 runs from 44 matches with 209 high scores. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis Australian Players to Watch David Warner In the semi final against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, David Warner reached an impressive achievement. He became the first Australian batsman to score 500 runs in two different ODI World Cup editions. Warner's skill as a left-handed batsman was clear when he accumulated 647 runs in the previous 2019 edition. Now, he joins an elite group, being only the third player to score over 500 runs in two World Cups. He is a reliable batter for big matches. So, he will surely show his skill in the final. Adam Zampa Adam Zampa's performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 has been truly impressive. Despite facing difficulties earlier in the tournament when he gave away 113 runs, Zampa showed flexibility and a champion's mentality. Taking on the responsibility as the sole spinner for Australia, he has claimed 22 wickets, making him the second-leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Josh Hazlewood Josh Hazlewood delivered an outstanding performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 semifinal against South Africa, making a significant impact in the early stage of the match. He played a key role in limiting the strong South African top order by taking the crucial wickets of Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram. In his eight overs, he conceded only 12 runs, with seven of those runs coming from edges or false shots. Final Words India has secured ten victories out of ten matches in the ICC World Cup 2023 so far. The top battle will occur in the top order, where players like Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood need to stop Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli from making a strong start. However, even if they manage to do so, the in-form Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul add significant firepower. This offensive capability is supported by a well-rounded Indian bowling attack. So, India has maximum chances to win the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup final match against Australia. Read more: New Zealand tour of Bangladesh in 2023-2024: Schedules, Fixtures, Team

In yet another semifinal clash with South Africa in the ICC World Cup, Australia emerged victorious in a low-scoring encounter on Thursday, securing a spot in the final alongside hosts India. Chasing a target of 213, Australia faced some challenges on the tricky Kolkata surface, losing key wickets in the middle overs. Despite a fifty from Travis Head at the top of the order, Mitchell Marsh's early dismissal and Glenn Maxwell's brief stint added pressure. However, Steven Smith's hard-fought 30 and Josh Inglis' 28 contributed crucial runs. Read: World Cup 2023: Lone warrior Miller hits century, but South Africa post a mere 212 in semifinal against Australia The eighth-wicket partnership between Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc proved decisive, with the duo batting for 46 balls to score 22 runs, eventually sealing the match by three wickets in the 48th over. For South Africa, Tabraiz Shamsi and Gerald Coetzee took two wickets each, but it wasn't sufficient to defend a subpar total. Earlier in the match, David Miller's century had stood out as a resilient effort against the formidable Australian bowling attack. Despite an early setback, where South Africa lost their first four wickets swiftly, Miller's century and Heinrich Klaasen's contribution of 47 ensured a competitive total. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were instrumental in Australia's bowling, sharing the initial four wickets. Starc claimed an additional wicket, finishing with figures of three for 34. Pat Cummins also secured three wickets, while Travis Head, not a regular bowler, impressively took two wickets off consecutive deliveries. Read: World Cup 2023: Early Woes for South Africa as Quick Wickets Fall in Semifinal Historically, South Africa has faced Australia twice in semifinals—in 1999 and 2007—and lost on both occasions. Australia continued this trend in their third semifinal encounter, maintaining their dominance over South Africa.  

In a bid to secure a historic spot in the final, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first in the second semifinal of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Thursday in Kolkata. Although South Africa has reached the semifinals twice before, they have yet to make it to the final. This time, however, they enter the semifinal with notable victories in the event's league phase. Australia, the team with the most World Cup victories, is also in excellent form in India, winning all of their last five matches. In previous encounters, Australia has advanced each time they faced South Africa in the semifinals, first in 1999 and then in 2007. Read: Khulna's Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium yearns for return of international cricket Weather condition due to depression in the Bay of Bengal may impact the match, with rain expected at some point. South Africa's captain, during the toss, acknowledged the weather factor. In the event of unfavorable weather on the scheduled day in Kolkata, the semifinal will move to the reserve day. If the reserve day also fails to yield a result, the team with the higher ranking will progress to the final, in this case, South Africa. At the historic Eden Gardens, Australia has played only three ODIs, winning two before losing the last one to India in 2017. South Africa played six matches at the Eden, and won only two of them.  Read: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Bangladesh to play much stronger Australia in Melbourne on Thursday  Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.

South Africa and Australia will play in the second semifinal of the ICC World Cup 2023. The spotlight is on the clash between these two cricket giants, set to unfold at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match will kick off at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time on November 16, 2023. Preview of SA vs AUS ODI in ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 South Africa is up against Australia, which seems to be the rematch of the 1999 World Cup edition. The South African team led by Temba Bavuma has been impressive, winning seven out of nine games in the tournament. Their only losses were against India and, surprisingly, the Netherlands. The South African team has a strong batting lineup in this World Cup, evident in their dominant performance against Sri Lanka, where they set the highest score of 428 in the World Cup. Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and especially Quinton de Kock are in excellent form in the current ODI tournament. Quinton de Kock, who appears to be in his last ODI World Cup, has been notably outstanding, accumulating a total of 591 runs during the group stage. However, there's uncertainty about their captain, Bavuma, as he is doubtful to start due to a hamstring injury sustained in the match against Afghanistan. Read more: New Zealand tour of Bangladesh in 2023-2024: Schedules, Fixtures, Team In terms of fast bowlers, South Africa hasn't felt the absence of the injured Anrich Nortje much. Players like Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada have given their best. Coetzee, in particular, has been impressive, taking 18 wickets in the group stage of the tournament. Jansen, who also contributes with the bat, has secured 17 wickets. The upcoming match at Eden Gardens, renowned for aiding both pacers and batters, promises to be an exciting viewing experience. In contrast, Australia experienced a slow start in the World Cup. They faced setbacks with consecutive losses to India and South Africa, impacting their early standing. Nevertheless, the Australian team quickly recovered, securing wins against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and New Zealand. Key players like David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Travis Head have been making significant contributions with the bat. Notable moments include Maxwell's explosive 201-run performance against Afghanistan and Marsh's impressive 177-run innings against Bangladesh. Although Mitchell Starc hasn't been taking many wickets, Adam Zampa has been a standout performer for Australia, with an impressive haul of 22 wickets in the World Cup group stage. This incredible performance put them in the favorite position in the World Cup. The Australian team is eager to turn the tables and avenge their 134-run loss against South Africa in match 10 of the ongoing tournament. Read more: ICC unveils prize money for 2023 Cricket World Cup South Africa vs Australia Head to Head in ODI In the 109 head-to-head ODI matches between South Africa and Australia, South Africa holds the edge. They have secured victory 55 times, while Australia has won 50 times. Interestingly, three matches, including a World Cup semifinal, concluded in a tie, and one match had no result. Out of South Africa's 55 wins, 27 came while batting first and 28 while chasing. On the other hand, Australia achieved 17 victories when chasing and 33 when setting a target. It sets the stage for a closely contested match, given the history of competition between these two cricketing powerhouses. In the history of the ODI World Cup, South Africa and Australia have faced each other seven times. Their record is evenly matched, with both teams securing three victories each. Notably, their encounter in the 1999 semi final ended in a tie, adding a dramatic chapter to their World Cup history. Table: South Africa vs Australia Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far Stats Matches South Africa Won Australia Won No Result Tie Overall 109 55 50 1 3 ODI World Cups 7 3 3 0 1 Predicted South Africa XI Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. Predicted Australia XI Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne/Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Australia Men's ODI Squad Analysis Key South African Players to Watch Quinton de Kock Undoubtedly, all attention will be on Quinton de Kock in the semifinals. As of the end of the group stage, he stands as the second-highest run-scorer in the competition, scoring an impressive 591 runs with an average of 65.66. De Kock has been in exceptional form, hitting four centuries in this edition. The team would certainly appreciate it if he could add one more to his tally in the upcoming match. His performance will likely play a crucial role in determining South Africa's success in the semifinals. Heinrich Klaasen Heinrich Klaasen is a hard hitter who makes a significant impact, showcasing a striking rate of 140.51 in this competition. He particularly excels when facing spinners and could be the one to challenge the in-form Adam Zampa. Given his proficiency in facing spin bowling, Klaasen emerges as a player to watch closely, and his performance may have a crucial impact in the upcoming match. Kagiso Rabada South Africa's bowling is strong and balanced, thanks to the reliable Kagiso Rabada. He's an experienced and dependable fast bowler who grabbed 29 wickets against Australia with an average of 24.96. Rabada's skill and know-how make him a key player in South Africa's bowling lineup, and he'll be crucial in the upcoming match against Australia. Read more: Bangladesh's Overall Performance Analysis in the ICC World Cup 2023 Key Australian Players to Watch David Warner The Australian batting lineup is packed with powerful hitters, and this strength extends deep into the order. David Warner, in particular, has consistently performed well throughout the tournament, scoring a total of 499 runs at an impressive average of 55.44. His contributions with the bat have been crucial, and he will likely play a key role in the upcoming match. Mitchell Marsh Mitchell Marsh recently delivered a remarkable unbeaten innings of 177 runs from 132 balls against Bangladesh. His outstanding performance played a pivotal role in Australia successfully chasing a target of 307 with nearly six overs to spare. Marsh's impactful contribution adds another layer of strength to the Australian team as they head into the upcoming match. Adam Zampa Australia's bowling hasn't been particularly impressive, except for Adam Zampa's outstanding performance. The leg-spinner is leading the bowling charts in this World Cup, having taken an impressive 22 wickets at an average of 18.90. Zampa's remarkable form has been a standout for Australia in the tournament. Read more: FIFA World Cup 2026 2nd Round Qualifiers: BAN vs AUS Match Preview Final Words Australia and South Africa have a rich history of rivalry, filled with memorable contests, and this upcoming match promises to be another thrilling encounter. The last time these teams faced off in the tournament, South Africa dominated, winning by 134 runs. However, a lot has changed since then, and it's unlikely we'll see a repeat of that result. Australia enters the knockout stage with confidence, riding on a winning streak, and they are known to be tough opponents in such high-pressure situations. Considering Australia's current form, they are likely to come out on top in this contest in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. Read more: T Sports Bags Broadcasting Rights for BPL's Next Two Seasons and Bangladesh’s Home Series Till 2024

India and New Zealand are set to face off in the first semifinal of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15 at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time. Led by Rohit Sharma, India secured the top spot by winning eight consecutive games. On the other hand, New Zealand earned a spot in the top four with five wins in nine matches. Ahead of the big match, let's review the condition of each team. Preview of IND vs NZ ODI in the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup  India headed to the semifinal with great confidence as they won three consecutive matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands this month. In all three matches, they batted first and emerged victorious. In their previous encounter with New Zealand, India won the match while batting second. India In the midst of all the surprises and upsets that the 2023 ODI World Cup has delivered, one consistent factor stands out—India's unquestionable dominance throughout the tournament. India has three of the top eight run-scorers in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The former captain, Virat Kohli, leads the charts with 594 runs in nine innings, followed by current captain Rohit Sharma with 503 runs and batter Shreyas Iyer with 421 runs, both in nine innings each. This collective dominance is quite significant. Furthermore, India has three bowlers among the top eight wicket-takers in the tournament. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah leads with 17 wickets in nine innings, followed by fellow fast bowler Mohammed Shami with 16 wickets in five innings, and spinner Ravindra Jadeja with 16 wickets in nine innings. Mohammed Siraj is a bit further down the list with 12 wickets in nine innings. Having won the Cricket World Cup twice, with the last victory in 2011, India is currently unbeaten at home and has several star players in excellent form. However, Hardik Pandya's absence from the squad could prove to be a significant factor for India, given that he was not only one of their key players but also served as the team's vice-captain. With Suryakumar Yadav taking his place at number 5 in the batting lineup, India has been playing with just five bowlers ever since Pandya was sidelined. Shubman Gill's comeback after recovering from dengue has led to him consistently opening the batting alongside Sharma since the match against Pakistan on October 14. And getting Shubman regularly in the team is a plus point for India. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis New Zealand New Zealand should be thankful for securing four wins relatively early in their World Cup campaign, as they later experienced four consecutive defeats. However, a late victory over Sri Lanka pushed them into the semifinal stage of the tournament against the clear favorites for the title. Opener Rachin Ravindra and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell stand out as the top run-scorers for the Black Caps at the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Ravindra has accumulated 565 runs in nine innings, whereas Mitchell has notched up 418 runs in eight innings, registering three centuries in this tournament. The return to fitness of captain Kane Williamson is also a significant boost for the team. New Zealand's standout wicket-takers in this tournament are spinner Mitchell Santner and fast bowler Trent Boult, who have collectively taken 29 wickets. Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has contributed with 10 wickets. The absence of fiery Matt Henry, who took 11 wickets before leaving the tournament due to injury, is a potential concern. Despite being finalists in 2019 and 2015, New Zealand has never won the Cricket World Cup. As they aim for a third successive final, their recent bilateral ODI series record against India is not impressive. However, in a major tournament, a single win can correct past shortcomings. Read more: FIFA World Cup 2026 2nd Round Qualifiers: BAN vs AUS Match Preview Probable Starting XI for India Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj. Probable Starting XI for New Zealand Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult. IND vs NZ Head-to-head Records So Far In the 117 ODI matches played between India and New Zealand, India has the lead with 59 victories. However, New Zealand is a notable challenge for India. In the ODI World Cups, the two teams have faced each other ten times. New Zealand has won five of those matches, while India has emerged victorious in four, with one match ending without a result. Stats Matches India Won New Zealand Won No Result Tied Overall  117 59 50 7 1 ODI World Cups 10 4 5 1 0 World Cup 2023 1 1 0 0 0 Indian Players to Watch Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma has been the standout batsman for India in this tournament, consistently providing explosive starts that have often put the team in a favorable position. However, when considering his suitability for the upcoming game, it's important to note that his current form is the primary factor in his favor. However, Rohit doesn't have a good record against New Zealand, and he has a 37.40 average from 26 innings against New Zealand. Virat Kohli Virat Kohli has been in excellent form during the tournament, scoring 594 runs in nine innings and currently ranking as the highest run-scorer. His impressive track record against New Zealand, with an average of 56.59 across 30 innings, and his fondness for batting at the Wankhede Stadium, where he has an average of 59.50, make him a crucial and essential choice for the upcoming game. Mohammed Shami Mohammed Shami has been in sensational form since entering the tournament. With an impressive 16 wickets in just four matches, Shami is proving to be unstoppable. His outstanding performance makes it impossible to overlook him for the upcoming game. Read more: Bangladesh’s matches in the 2nd Round Qualifiers of FIFA World Cup 2026: Schedules, Fixtures, Team New Zealand Players to Watch Rachin Ravindra The most significant topic of conversation in this tournament has revolved around Rachin Ravindra and his impressive batting performance. With a total of 565 runs in nine innings, he currently holds the title of the third-highest run-scorer in the World Cup 2023. Considering his incredible  form, Ravindra is undoubtedly a key player in the next match against the Kiwis. Trent Boult The Kiwi speedster hasn't been in top form during the tournament, making him appear as a somewhat risky choice. However, if New Zealand ends up bowling second, Trent Boult could become a crucial player for them. He grabbed 13 wickets from 9 games. Final Words India is unbeaten in this ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. Although New Zealand has a better record in the knockout stage, India has the home ground advantage. So, India is likely to win this IND vs NZ match.  Read more: Bangladesh's Overall Performance Analysis in the ICC World Cup 2023

The Bangladesh national cricket team arrived in Dhaka today, concluding a disheartening ICC World Cup 2023 journey in India where they participated in nine matches, losing seven. Captain Shakib Al Hasan returned earlier due to a finger injury, missing the final match against Australia. In his absence, vice-captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led the team, and Bangladesh suffered another defeat. Head coach Chandika Hathurusinga also returned with the team, while bowling coach Allan Donald opted not to travel to Dhaka, resigning from his position and heading directly to South Africa from India. Read: Bangladesh's Overall Performance Analysis in the ICC World Cup 2023 Shakib expressed disappointment, labeling it Bangladesh's "worst" World Cup performance, acknowledging unmet high expectations. Mahmudullah Riyad emerged as the top scorer for Bangladesh, amassing 328 runs in seven innings, including a century and a 50. He was a last-minute inclusion in the team. He missed a few series leading up to the World Cup. Among other batters, Litton Das (286), Najmul Hossain Shanto (222), Mushfiqur Rahim (202), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (201) surpassed the 200-run mark. Miraz and Shoriful Islam excelled as bowlers, each taking 10 wickets, while Shakib managed nine. Read: Allan Donald bids farewell to Bangladesh cricket Bangladesh’s next assignment is a two-match series against New Zealand starting later this month. With this two-match Test series on the horizon, Bangladesh faces the task of appointing a captain in Shakib's absence, due to a finger injury, for the upcoming series.  

India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first against the Netherlands in the final league game of the Cricket World Cup on Sunday. India is atop the points’ standings with 16 points from eight wins – the only unbeaten side in the tournament. It will be aiming for a clean sweep in the league stage ahead of the semi-finals, where the two-time champions will take on fourth-placed New Zealand in the first semi-final at Mumbai on Nov. 15. Second-placed South Africa will take on five-time champions Australia, which finished the league stage in third place, in the second semifinal at Kolkata on Nov. 16. Read: Bangladesh's Overall Performance Analysis in the ICC World Cup 2023 The Netherlands has four points from eight games from its two wins against South Africa and Bangladesh. It is placed tenth in the standings and needs a win against India to move to six points and edge out eighth-placed Bangladesh, which would confirm its qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The top eight teams in the league stage of this World Cup qualify for the Champions Trophy. India is unchanged from its previous game against South Africa in Kolkata, which it won by a huge 243 runs. The Netherlands also fielded an unchanged team from its previous game against England in Pune, which it lost by 160 runs. Read: ICC World Cup 2023: Magnificent Marsh leads Australia's charge as Tigers get one last thrashing before coming home   A capacity crowd is expected at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium with the match cooinciding with the auspicious festival of Diwali. Star Indian batter Virat Kohli will again be in the spotlight – he has scored 543 runs in eight matches, third highest in the tournament thus far. More importantly, he is currently on 49 ODI centuries and level with compatriot and Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, with a Sunday full-house anticipating a record 50th hundred at his adopted home ground. He plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. The Bengaluru pitch should aid batters, and Kohli in his endeavour. A high scoring game could be in the offing, with chasing under lights preferable at this venue.   Lineups:   India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Lokesh Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj   Netherlands: Wesley Barresi, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Scott Edwards (captain), Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren