IND vs. NZ World Cup at Wankhede: A Batsman's Paradise with 2nd Innings Twist

Known as a batsman's paradise, the Wankhede Stadium has hosted some exciting high-scoring matches. Its status as a batsman's paradise is undeniable, and this is evident in many white ball competitions. Among the 2023 World Cup venues, the Wankhede hosted four matches, including the semi-final match between India and New Zealand.

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Eager spectators enjoy the sight of towering sixes and huge hits from the batsmen on a 22-yard pitch. But when a team bats second, an interesting pattern emerges, especially early in the innings.

India and New Zealand will remember their meeting in 2019 as they prepare for a thrilling semi-final. While India has an impressive record of nine straight wins in the league phase, the New Zealanders have had a mixed record of late.

Despite expecting a lot of boundaries, the team who finished second in the Wankhede faced a surprise challenge. Wankhede's average score in the first innings was a staggering 357, a marked increase from his usual score of 248. However, the situation changed dramatically in the second innings as the chase's average score dropped to 188 in the WC.

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Statistically, the team batting first has won three out of four matches, highlighting the difficulties facing chasing sides. As seen in England, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, the first overs will see a lot of swing and seam, creating a difficult scenario for the batsmen.

This discrepancy is highlighted further when we examine the powerplay results for the entire Championship match at the Wankhede. The team batting first is able to score early, but the chasing team faces immense pressure, loses wickets at a higher rate, and scores much lower.

After the first 15 times, the stroke becomes relatively even. However, wicketkeeping is the key to Wankhede's successful chase. Despite the early challenges, the second half of the game presents a more favorable environment for the batsmen.