India vs New Zealand: What if rain plays spoilsport today?

The UK Met office has forecast that it could rain in Manchester today.

By Rituraj Borkakoty

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Published: Tue 9 Jul 2019, 10:57 PM

The English weather may play spoilsport again as the World Cup enters the knockout round today.
Cricket-obsessed India has been waiting with bated breath to see another ruthless performance from their team when Virat Kohli's men lock horns with New Zealand in the first semifinal.
But UK Met office forecast stated that it could rain in Manchester today.
That's not good news for a tournament that has already lost four games to rain in the league phase. But the International Cricket Council has kept a reserve day for the semifinals and the final.
But if rain does not allow us to get a result on the reserve day of the semifinals as well, then the team that finished with more points in the league phase will qualify for the final.
Kohli's team, though, will hope for clear skies.
Having dominated the league phase with their all-round display, the two-time champions will want to earn the right to fight for the trophy on the field of play against a talented New Zealand team.
India, which lost their only league match to hosts England, have to be careful, though, if it's a rain-curtailed match on Tuesday. The New Zealand seam attack, led by the wonderful Trent Boult, could be tricky in such conditions.
After all, it was Boult who broke the back of India's batting in overcast conditions with a stunning spell (4/33) in a World Cup warm-up game in London on May 25.
Kohli knows you can write off the Kiwis at your own peril.
- rituraj@khaleejtimes.com

• ICC World Cup 2020