Picture Credit: BCCI
A comprehensive defeat against Pakistan has surely changed the semifinal qualification scenario for the Indian cricket team. Suddenly they find themselves in a crunch game against New Zealand which could go on to decide who will reach the semifinals from this stage. Between India's last match and the one against the Kiwis later on Sunday, Pakistan have more or less confirmed a semifinal seat for themselves.
But if India are to join them in the final four, the simplest equation is to beat every other opponent that comes their way in the Super 12 stage. While the odds are heavily stacked in favour of the Indian side against Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia- the other three teams in their Group 2, it has all literally come down to the game against BlackCaps.
Excited to see how India is going to shape up against New Zealand: Karthik
Senior India and Tamil Nadu cricketer Dinesh Karthik, who is not part of the India squad for the tournament in the Middle East, has said that the match is like a quarter-final for the side.
"This is a quarter-final for India. They know it. If they get through tomorrow's (October 31) game, they know that they have a pretty easy, well it's not easy because there's Afghanistan there but you would like to think there is a good chance to move forward in this tournament with a win. I'm really excited to see how India is going to shape up against New Zealand," DK said in a show on Cricbuzz.
India need to go for it a bit more with the bat: Vaughan
The show also featured former England captain Michael Vaughan who too seemed in agreement with Karthik. He wanted to see more intent from the Indian team with the bat who were beaten by 10 wickets in their opening match against their arch-rivals Pakistan.
"I think India need to go for it a bit more with the bat. If they want to win this World Cup, they will want to go for it. They are a little bit too safe. They have wonderful talent and wonderful batters that can play an aggressive game pretty much from ball one and all the way down to the 20th over," Vaughan said.
Both the experts also said that Shardul Thakur should be given a place in the Playing XI for the match against the Kiwis, although captain Virat Kohli at the pre-match press conference held his cards close to his chest but hinted that Shardul is in their plans.