CWC 2023: How crucial would toss be in India’s semi final encounter?

Pakistan’s 96-run loss against England confirmed India’s match up with New Zealand in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15th. Memories of the same match up in the 2019 World Cup would be fresh among Indian fans. India had walked into the game as clear favourites but a disciplined effort from Black Caps bowlers Trent Boult and Matt Henry ensured that New Zealand registered an 18-run victory and booked a place in the final. 

Incidentally India and New Zealand have played against each other in the Wankhede Stadium on one occasion where too, New Zealand had the upper hand with a 6-wicket victory. They however suffered a huge 112-run loss against Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup in the same stadium. India has won 12 out of the 21 games they have played in the stadium. 

In the 2023 World Cup however, a clear pattern seems to have emerged. Both England and Sri Lanka suffered massive 200-run plus run losses after having won the toss and opted to bowl first. Apart from the match between Australia and Afghanistan, all the other games have been won by the team batting first. Australia too had lost many early wickets. The new ball appears to be moving a lot under the lights. Toss might play an important factor in the game, but it must be remembered that India had lost the toss in the 2011 World Cup final as well.