In the highly anticipated 2023 World Cup semifinal clash between India and New Zealand, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma find themselves at the center of attention. While the duo has been instrumental in India’s journey so far, they face the looming challenge of breaking the semifinal curse that has haunted them in recent World Cups.
Captain Rohit Sharma has been setting an aggressive tone early in matches, stepping out of his comfort zone, and Kohli has played a crucial role in sustaining momentum, often adapting to a supporting role when needed. Together, they have formed the backbone of the Indian batting lineup, amassing 594 and 503 runs in nine innings, respectively.
Virat Kohli, in particular, has been in scintillating form in the 2023 World Cup, smashing records with two centuries and five half-centuries, accumulating 594 runs at an impressive average of 99. He stands on the verge of becoming the second Indian batsman to score 600 or more runs in a single World Cup, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma. Additionally, he has an opportunity to surpass Tendulkar’s record for the most fifty-plus knocks in a single World Cup edition.
Virat Kohli’s knockout troubles
However, amidst these personal milestones, both Kohli and Rohit must confront their struggles in World Cup semifinals. Virat kohli, known for relishing challenges, has faced difficulties in the knockout stages, particularly in semifinals. In his last three World Cup semifinal appearances, he has managed scores of 9, 1, and 1 against Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand, respectively. Furthermore, his dismissals in these crucial matches have all come against left-arm pacers, with Trent Boult posing a familiar threat in the upcoming clash.
Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, also faces a semifinal challenge with a less-than-ideal record, having scored only 35 runs across two appearances in 2015 and 2019. His innings of 34 against Australia in 2015 and a mere 1 against New Zealand in 2019 highlight the need for a more substantial contribution in the upcoming match.
Despite these challenges, both players will draw confidence from their team’s league-stage encounter against New Zealand, where Kohli managed to score 24 runs against Boult. As India seeks revenge for their 2019 defeat, Kohli and Rohit will aim to overcome the semifinal jinx and lead their team to victory in the crucial clash in Mumbai.