India will take on New Zealand in the Super 12 game of the T20 World Cup on Sunday. With Pakistan winning three consecutive matches their semi-final place is almost sure-shot. As a result, many believe India-New Zealand will be a virtual quarter-final. Nevertheless, many records are awaiting for Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, before the clash against New Zealand.
Earlier, Pakistan captain, Babar Azam had equalled Kohli's record of most 20-over half-centuries (14) as a captain after making a half-century against Afghanistan on Friday. But Kohli will have another opportunity to overtake Babar when his team enters the field against New Zealand tonight.
Kohli has scored 14 half-centuries as a captain in 45 T20Is innings while Babar only took 26 for achieving the same. Australian captain, Aaron Finch is the next on the list with 11 half-centuries followed by New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, and England skipper, Eoin Morgan, with 10 and 9 half-centuries respectively.
Moreover, the Indian skipper needs 9 more sixes to become second Indian after Rohit Sharma to complete 100 sixes in 20Is. Along with him, Hardik Pandya has also a chance to complete 100 sixes in international cricket as he is just 4 sixes away from achieving the milestone. In addition, the all-rounder can complete 500 T20I runs by scoring 5 more runs against the Kiwis.
Talking about, New Zealand, opener Martin Guptill is just 3 hits away from 150 T20I sixes. Furthermore, he is just 44 runs shy of becoming the second batter to score 3000 T20I runs after Kohli. Apart from this, their left-arm pacer, Trent Boult is just 3 wickets away from 50 T20I wickets.
India and New Zealand have played 16 20Is against each other and the matchup is evenly poised as both have won 8 each. However, in the T20 World Cup, New Zealand have played India a couple of times (2007, 2016) and they got better of India on both occasions.