Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the top-of-the-table clash between India and New Zealand in the ongoing World Cup 2023, scheduled for Sunday, October 22 at the HPCA Stadium in sharamsala.
The Men in Blue have been in stellar form throughout the tournament, clinching victories in all their four matches. Their recent triumph over Bangladesh was particularly noteworthy, where they secured a win with 51 balls to spare, largely due to a splendid century by Virat Kohli. On the other hand, New Zealand, known for their consistent performances, have been equally dominant, overpowering every team they've encountered.
Interestingly, the Blackcaps have maintained an upper hand over India in ICC events, having not faced a defeat against them since 2003. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming match.
However, amidst the excitement, there's a looming concern: the weather.
IND vs NZ: Dharamsala Weather Report
The latest weather reports suggest potential interruptions during the match. Sources, including Accuweather, predict a cloudy sky in Dharamsala with a significant likelihood of rain.
The temperature is expected to remain around a cool 18°C, accompanied by winds from the south and southwest at approximately 9 km/hr. Moreover, there are indications of possible thunderstorms during the afternoon, precisely around the match's timeframe.
Weather.com has given a similar report, highlighting the possibility of rain around the toss time at around 1:30 PM IST.
Should the match face a washout due to these weather conditions, both teams will be awarded one point each, in line with the ICC's stipulations for the World Cup 2023. While both India and New Zealand have been fortunate to have their previous matches unaffected by rain, the unpredictable weather in Dharamsala remains a significant talking point.
Who will replace Hardik Pandya? Rahul Dravid has his say
Hardik Pandya's left ankle injury, sustained during the face-off against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19, has raised questions as to who will be considered to fill the void in India's Playing XI. While Pandya is currently under the watchful eyes of the BCCI medical team at the National Cricket Academy, coach Rahul Dravid dropped a big hint at the all-rounder's replacement in the match against New Zealand.
Dravid, in the pre-match press conference, said, "Obviously, the three seamers, having someone like Shami sitting out there and bringing him in this game is a great option. In some cases, there is Ashwin who has obviously been sitting out, who has great quality as well. So, there are two or three combinations we could use considering this till Hardik gets back."
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