India vs New Zealand predictions: India's Iyer could overshadow star team-mates

- India won all nine of their matches in the league stage of the World Cup
- New Zealand have lost four of their last five games
- Recommended bet: Shreyas Iyer India Top Batter at 11/2 with LiveScore Bet

New Zealand beat India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final at Old Trafford but the Black Caps face a very different challenge against Rohit Sharma's men in Mumbai.

Pre-tournament favourites India won all nine of their league fixtures while New Zealand stumbled into the semi-finals after four defeats in their last five games.

The Black Caps know that anything is possible in knockout cricket after being denied by England in an extraordinary Super Over in the 2019 final. 

But halting India's charge at the Wankhede Stadium will require a special performance.

Team news

India have named the same team for their last five matches and should stick with the winning formula. 

That would mean that experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin misses out along with fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who replaced injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya earlier in the tournament.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson played only three of his team's nine league matches but should be fit for the semi-final. 

Fast bowler Matt Henry has been ruled out of the tournament so much will depend on left-arm paceman Trent Boult and spinner Mitchell Santner.

The stats

India won all nine of their matches in the league stage of the World Cup.

Shreyas Iyer's last three innings were 82, 77 and 128 not out.

India have beaten New Zealand in all four of their ODI meetings this year.

New Zealand have lost four of their last five games at the World Cup.

Rachin Ravindra has scored three centuries at this tournament, with only South Africa's Quinton de Kock having made more

Mitchell Santner has been New Zealand's most economical bowler, conceding 4.81 runs per over, but six India bowlers have better economy rates at this World Cup.

Prediction

India's World Cup campaign started with a scare against Australia, who dismissed three of the hosts' top four batsmen for ducks, but the trophy favourites have made smooth progress since then.

Shreyas Iyer, out for nought against the Aussies, has grown into his role at No4 and he is worth backing to top score in the semi-final.

Iyer smashed six sixes in a destructive innings of 82 against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede, venue for Wednesday's game, before scores of 77 against South Africa and 128 not out against the Netherlands.

He also has a cracking ODI record against New Zealand, scoring 103, 52, 62, 80, 49 and 33 in six innings, and is peaking at the right time of the tournament.

The underdogs will be looking to Trent Boult to unsettle India's top three — skipper Rohit, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli — but middle-order men Iyer and KL Rahul both made tons in the final league game against the Netherlands.

India's bowling attack has been superb at this tournament and New Zealand will be wary of fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who took 5-54 against them in the league meeting and 5-18 when Sri Lanka were skittled for 55 at the Wankhede.

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