New Zealand captain Kane Williamson throughout a apply session forward of the ICC Cricket World cup 2023 semifinal towards India in Mumbai on November 14, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI
On the uncommon events when India’s menacing tempo assault couldn’t scythe by opposition line-ups on this World Cup, their spinners did the job in their very own methods.
However, that is probably not the case when Kane Williamson leads New Zealand out within the first semifinal towards the in-form hosts right here on Wednesday, in accordance to batting nice Sunil Gavaskar.
Highlighting Williamson’s adept footwork and strategic method, Gavaskar reckoned the Kiwis skipper will don’t have any bother negotiating the Indian spinners, particularly the unorthodox Kuldeep Yadav.
“He’s such a great player; it doesn’t matter if he’s come out from a big break and he’s scored runs. So, I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference,” Gavaskar stated on Star Sports.
“He uses his feet really well to go down the pitch to smother the turn if needed; he then goes and uses the crease as well. So, he’s a very good player. I don’t think he is going to be fussed about playing Kuldeep; he will know how to tackle him.” Gavaskar stated Williamson’s cricket on this World Cup has not simply been about technical nous and cultured strokeplay, because the affable Kiwi has additionally proven a propensity to take the aerial route, a far cry from his 2019 avatar.
“If needed, you don’t want to hit him for boundaries; just work it away for six singles if that is required. Then, six runs an over is a good scoring rate by any standard, so he will look to do that.
“When the boundary ball comes alongside, he will hit the boundary ball, so we have seen his willingness to take extra dangers. We have not seen that aspect of Kane Williamson possibly in 2019, however right here, we now have seen him take the aerial route.
“He got out on a shot for a 100 the other day; he got out on 95, but that’s because he had taken the aerial route, and he will probably look to do that against Kuldeep Yadav as well,” Gavaskar concluded.
India are thought-about favourites towards New Zealand in what will be a repeat of the ultimate 4 conflict 4 years in the past within the 2019 version.
The Black Caps have been the final to e-book the semifinal slot with India being the primary aspect within the last 4, adopted by South Africa and Australia.
India have gone unbeaten within the World Cup up to now, profitable all their 9 league matches and are the one crew to accomplish that.
