ICC World Cup 2023: NZ, the No.1 team India want to beat!

NZ players during a practice session in Dharamsala on Saturday. Pic/PTI

Nemesis - A person or thing that is very difficult for someone to defeat. Every cricket lover will know that for a long time now, India's nemesis when it comes to ICC events, have been New Zealand.

The last time India managed to beat them in an ICC event was 20 years ago in the 2003 ODI World Cup. It's a telling stat, especially considering the resources available to both teams.

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So why do the Black Caps keep defeating India at world events? First and foremost, they read the pitch and conditions well and plan accordingly. Horses for courses has been a New Zealand selection mantra for a long time and this World Cup has been no different. Secondly, the Black Caps are the perfect example of Aristotle's saying "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," ie, they don't have many superstars like India does but everyone plays their role to perfection, resulting in a cohesive team performance. Last but never the least, they are a phenomenal catching and fielding side who constantly add to the pressure being built by the bowlers.

Matt Henry and Trent Boult have already said that they are looking forward to the pace, bounce, and movement that the Dharamsala pitch offers. The outfield, which has had its fair share of scrutiny, will be under the spotlight again. Selection wise, I don't see New Zealand making a change unless the movement on offer prompts them to go with Tim Southee over Lockie Ferguson. A smallish ground with dew on the cards means that winning the toss and bowling first might be the way to go.

The draw has been kind to New Zealand in this World Cup. They have two games each in Chennai, Dharamsala and Bangalore which means they do not have as much travel as some of the other teams. They also played smaller teams like the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan early in the tournament allowing them to get ready for the tougher challenges ahead. The honeymoon though, is now well and truly over with their next four games scheduled against India, Australia, South Africa, and Pakistan.

From the flat coastal plains of Chennai, the Black Caps now play at arguably the most scenic cricket ground in the world - Dharamsala - which has an average elevation of 1,457 metres above sea level. Can they keep their unbeaten run going on the slopes of the Himalayas? If they can, then considering their healthy net run rate, they will surely have one foot in the semi-finals.