IND Vs NZ Semi-Final: Tracing India's Journey In Knockouts At ICC World Cups

IND Vs NZ, Semi-Final: India's performances in knockout stages of the ICC World Cup since 1983 reveal that the team has managed to win only three of their seven last four encounters.

Virat Kohli celebrates the wicket of Will Young of New Zealand during their WC match ( Image Source :Getty )

While India's road to the semi-finals of the 2023 ICC World Cup has been relatively smooth, winning 9 out of their 9 matches in the group stage, they face their 2019 edition nemesis New Zealand in the knockouts on Wednesday. India will take on the runner-up of the 2019 World Cup at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium -- the same stadium where MS Dhoni's men created history by lifting the trophy 12 years ago. 

Now led by Rohit Sharma, the Indian team seeks redemption for their 2019 defeat against New Zealand, aiming to secure a coveted spot in the ODI World Cup 2023 final.

A glance at India's performances in knockout stages of the ICC World Cup since 1983 reveals that the team has managed to win only three of their seven last four encounters.

In 1983, India overcame England at Old Trafford, Manchester, with Kapil Dev's three-wicket haul and Yashpal Sharma's crucial 61 in a successful chase of 214.

However, in the 1987 semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, England turned the tables, defeating India by 35 runs, denying them a spot in the final. 

The 1996 semi-final against Sri Lanka in Kolkata took an unexpected turn as crowd interruptions and hostility during India's run chase led to Sri Lanka being declared the winner. Chasing 252, India suffered a collpase and were 120 for 8 when umpires decided to end the match.

In 2003, India dominated the semi-final against Kenya at Kingsmead, Durban, with Sourav Ganguly's century propelling them to a 91-run victory. The 2011 semi-final at PCA Stadium, Mohali, saw Sachin Tendulkar's 85 guiding India to 260 against Pakistan and the team securing a 29-run win in a nail-biting encounter.

In 2015, India faced a formidable Australian side in the semi-final at Sydney Cricket Ground and suffered a 95-run defeat as Steve Smith's century powered the Kangaroos to 328. 

Four years later, in the ODI World Cup in 2019, India faced New Zealand in the semi-final at Old Trafford. Rain interruptions led to a two-day match, and New Zealand emerged victorious by 18 runs, ending India's campaign.