India vs New Zealand Cricket World Cup Semifinal Prediction & Picks: Can the Blackcaps Destroy India’s Dreams to Book Third Consecutive Final?

Four years ago, India topped the Cricket World Cup group standings, only to lay an egg as heavy favorites in their semifinal against New Zealand. Is a repeat upset on the horizon in Mumbai, or will the Blackcaps fall short of a third straight final?
After a perfect run through the round-robin portion of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, India have two matches to win to be crowned ODI world champions on home soil. New Zealand will be hoping to render that group stage dominance meaningless, but the 2019 finalists unsurprisingly face tall odds to come away with the win in Mumbai.
This isn’t an unfamiliar scenario, however, for either side. In fact, this is same position these two teams were in at the previous ODI World Cup.
Four years ago, India won seven of eight group matches, losing only to tournament hosts and eventual world champions England.
In the semifinals, they were expected to see off New Zealand, who had edged out Pakistan for the fourth spot in the table. Instead, after restricting New Zealand to a score of 239 for 8, India fell 19 runs short of the target, being bowled out for 221 with three balls remaining.
Are things aligning in New Zealand’s favor again? As was the case four years ago, India dominated the group stage. As was the case four years ago, New Zealand beat out Pakistan for fourth.

India vs New Zealand Odds

Odds are courtesy of Bovada.

Moneyline

• India -285
• New Zealand +225

Can India Avoid More Semifinal Disappointment?

While the Blackcaps are looking to join the West Indies (1975, 1979, and 1983) and Australia (1996, 1999, 2003, and 2007) as the only teams to reach three or more consecutive ODI World Cup finals, all the pressure in this match is on India.
Not only are they the tournament hosts, but they also have some painful semifinal memories to erase. Along with that loss to New Zealand four years ago, they fell to eventual champions Australia in the semifinals in 2015.
To not take home the trophy on home soil, which a host team has done in each of the last three tournaments (India in 2011, Australia in 2015, and England in 2019), would be considered a major failure, especially after recording so many resounding wins in the group stage.
Also, for the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, and perhaps KL Rahul, this will likely be their final ODI World Cup. That only ramps up the pressure to perform.

2023 Cricket World Cup Results for India and New Zealand

India

• Australia: won by six wickets
• Afghanistan: won by eight wickets
• Pakistan: won by seven wickets
• Bangladesh: won by seven wickets
• New Zealand: won by four wickets
• England: won by 100 runs
• Sri Lanka: won by 302 runs
• South Africa: won by 243 runs
• Netherlands: won by 160 runs

New Zealand

• England: won by nine wickets
• Netherlands: won by 99 runs
• Bangladesh: won by eight wickets
• Afghanistan: won by 149 runs
• India: lost by four wickets
• Australia: lost by five runs
• South Africa: lost by 190 runs
• Pakistan: lost by 21 runs (DLS method)
• Sri Lanka: won by five wickets

Can New Zealand take advantage of that pressure and the nerves that could result?
The Blackcaps might consider themselves fortunate to be in the semis, as they won only one of their final five round-robin fixtures after opening the tournament with four straight wins.
But even in a tournament with only ten teams, you don’t get to the semifinals without being worthy of your place, and you can’t count them out, especially with captain Kane Williamson back in business.
Williamson, who had knee surgery in April, was held out of New Zealand’s first two World Cup matches as he was not quite fully fit to return. In his return match against Bangladesh, he suffered a fractured thumb, which caused him to miss four more matches. But the 33-year-old returned for the Blackcaps’ final two group matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and he will be key to their hopes of a third straight final.

India vs New Zealand Prediction and Picks

India vs New Zealand Prediction: India to win

The first match between these two teams, which took place in Dharamsala, was a pretty competitive one. New Zealand posted a total of 273 all out, and India needed 48.3 of the 50 overs to chase down the target, their highest chase of the tournament.
As I said, the Blackcaps aren’t to be counted out here, especially with their captain fit and ready to fire. But I don’t think the hosts will let the pressure of the situation get to them, at least not in the semis.

India vs New Zealand Picks

Under 49.5 Fours (-115 at Bovada)

In their group stage match, India (29) and New Zealand (19) combined for 48 total fours.
I’m not ruling out a higher-scoring contest, but I like the value here, especially with how well India have bowled in the tournament.

Where to Bet on the 2023 Cricket World Cup

The 2023 Cricket World Cup will take place in India from October 5 to November 19, and you can place bets on Cricket World Cup odds at most reputable sports betting sites.
Some sportsbooks offer tournament winner odds and other futures, while some will also offer odds for every game of the tournament.
Here are some of the online sportsbooks that we recommend for betting on the 2023 Cricket World Cup:

• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bovada
• MyBookie

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our in-depth reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds. Happy betting, and please bet responsibly.