As the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, prepares to take on New Zealand in their fifth group match of the ICC ODI World Cup, they are determined to break their historical struggles against the Black Caps in significant International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments.
New Zealand has consistently proven to be one of India's most challenging opponents in ICC events. This was notably evident in the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June 2021 and in the group stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Despite India's success against other formidable teams in ICC competitions over the past decade, New Zealand has remained an enigmatic adversary.
What sets New Zealand apart is their collective approach, relying on team cohesion rather than individual brilliance. They consistently exceed expectations in ICC tournaments, making them a formidable force in the cricketing world. It would be unwise to underestimate their potential to reach the final four in this World Cup.
Remarkably, India's last ICC tournament victory against New Zealand dates back to the 2003 World Cup under Sourav Ganguly's leadership when they secured a seven-wicket win. Since then, India has faced defeat in every encounter against the Black Caps in ICC events.
Highlighting some of these historical challenges:
2007 T20 World Cup: India's lone defeat came against New Zealand, falling short by just 10 runs in a high-scoring match.
2016 T20 World Cup: New Zealand stunned India with a 47-run victory in a match marked by a challenging pitch and India's batting struggles.
2019 ODI World Cup: India exited in the semi-final against New Zealand as their top order crumbled against disciplined Kiwi bowling.
2021 World Test Championship final: New Zealand emerged victorious, becoming the first ICC World Test Champions.
2021 T20 World Cup: India faced another loss to New Zealand in the ICC tournament, struggling to post a competitive total.
As India faces New Zealand in the ICC ODI World Cup, they aim to overcome these historical setbacks and secure a crucial victory as they pursue World Cup glory.
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