Sports Desk: The 2023 World Cup got four teams for the semifinals after a total of 45 matches in the league stage. India, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand fixed their spot for the last four in the 13th edition of the world tournament.

India, the first team in the point table, will face New Zealand, who occupied the fourth place, in the first semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday (November 15).

However, the hosts India will be nervous in that match against the Blackcaps, said legendary Kiwi batter Ross Taylor.

He said the one team India would not have wanted to face in the knockouts was his country. Taylor top-scored with 74 when New Zealand knocked out in-form India in the 2019 World Cup semifinals, in a low-scoring affair at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Taylor and skipper Kane Williamson (67 off 95 balls) batted conservatively to help post 239/8 after winning the toss before Trent Boult and Matt Henry led the bowling to dismiss Virat Kohli’s side for 221.

Rohit Sharma’s team, after sweeping to nine straight wins and boasting of the best bowling attack in the tournament, look a different proposition, in home conditions as well.

Taylor, though, saw a parallel with 2019 as he analysed the semi-finals in comments released by the International Cricket Council on Monday.

“Four years ago, India went into the semi-final as the form side in the tournament, while we were more focused on ensuring our net run rate would keep Pakistan out of reach for the final spot in the top four,” he said. Kiwis have qualified as the No 4 team, South Africa and Australia having finished behind table toppers India.

“This time around, India are even bigger favourites, at home and having played so well during the group stage. But when we have nothing to lose, New Zealand teams can be dangerous. If there is a team that India will be nervous facing, it will be this New Zealand side.”