India and New Zealand will face each other for the first semi-final of World Cup 2019. It is scheduled for the Old Trafford, Manchester on 9th July 2019. The second semi-final will see the arch-rivals Australia and England fight for the spot in the finale. The Indian team has a chance to reach in the Final of World Cup 2019 without playing Semi-Final at Manchester
The Rain Scene
When Australia was facing South Africa in their last league match, Indian fans were supporting the Proteas. Overall, the Kiwis are easier contenders compared to the defending champions Australia, and with the Kiwis against them in the semi-final, India has a slightly better chance to win the match. But now it seems India can enter the final without even playing the semi-final. Credit should be given to the Manchester weather if something like this happens.
According to the updates coming from the Meteorological Department, there is a brief chance of a heavy shower in Manchester on 9th July. There are reserve days for knock out stages but the rain is expected even on 10th July, at least till noon. If the game cannot be organized even on the reserve day due to rain, the match will be canceled. In such case, Virat Kohli led Indian cricket team will straight go to the final. This will be possible because of India’s consistently good performance in the group stage. India won seven out nine matches, lost one to the hosts and one was canceled due to rain. New Zealand won five out of nine games, lost three and one game was abandoned due to rain. Interestingly, both missed the same match due to rain and didn’t play each other in the group stage.
Rain, the spoilsport
The World Cup 2019 has been a disappointment for the fans as a lot of matches were washed out without a ball being bowled. Given the fact that the World Cup happens once in four years, this is frustrating for everyone. Moreover, teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have shown enough promises at the end which means they had the potential to win the abandoned matches and change the results.
For India, this could be an easy road to the final. But for the Kiwis, this will be tough. India had lost the warm-up against New Zealand and Kane Williamson would plan to repeat the result in the semi-final.
Also read: List of ICC cricket world cup winners of all time
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