It all comes down to which team can hold their nerve on the day
Members of the New Zealand team enjoy a game of football at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. Pic/Satej Shinde
Ever since New Zealand confirmed its place in the semi-finals, the question which I have been asked the most number of times is “As an Indian living in New Zealand, where exactly do your loyalties lie?” I have three answers ready at the tip of my tongue. 1) Blood is thicker than any passport or permanent residency in the world 2) If India win, I will have a happy life and if New Zealand win, I will have a happy wife. 3) Whoever wins I will be happy but whoever loses I will be sad.
New Zealand have reached the semi-finals in stark contrast to their opponents. Four wins followed by four losses and then a dominating performance against Sri Lanka to shut the door firmly on Pakistan. A campaign that began in style was plagued by injuries but recovered just in time to make it to the semi-finals yet again.
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I spoke to Tim Southee in Bangalore the other day and he was positive about the fact that the Wankhede wicket suited the blackcaps’ style of play. Kane Williamson in the pre-match press conference was in a relaxed and jovial mood. Keeping his cards close to his chest with regards to team selection, he said that a final call on the playing XI will be made after looking at the pitch on match day. Knowing the pace and bounce that a Wankhede surface normally offers, I am sure that the 2.03 mts tall Kyle Jameison must be in the mix. If he does play, then it will have to be at the expense of Mark Chapman.
New Zealand’s best chance lies in batting first, putting up a total more than 275, picking up early wickets and letting the scoreboard put pressure on India. Trent Boult & Co will get enough assistance under the lights in Mumbai to make life difficult for the Indian top order. On the other hand, if India bat first, it could be one-way traffic all the way.
The crowd has been India’s 12th man throughout this World Cup. Google tells me that the capacity of the Wankhede Stadium is 33,108 and 33,000 of them will be bleeding blue on Wednesday for sure. After six weeks of trapezing all over the length and breadth of the country, it all comes down which team can hold their nerve on the day.
Seventy years ago, it was a Kiwi by the name of Sir Edmund Hilary who made history by becoming the first human to climb Mount Everest. This blackcaps team are two matches away from creating history themselves. Can they beat the hosts and tournament favourites India? If they do so it will be no less than reaching Camp 4 which is located just below the prominent feature known as the South Summit. Everest then will be a stone’s throw away. We haven’t had a super over in this World Cup yet. I wonder what the odds of that happening are.
Rahul Patil, a Welington-based Indian-born writer, is following NZ's fortunes at this World Cup
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