ICC World Cup 2019 | India have got match-winners throughout their line-up, says Gary Stead
Gary Stead has admitted that his New Zealand team will face a tough challenge as they go up against an in-form India side which is filled with match-winners. The 2015 World Cup runner-ups led by Kane Williamson will face-off against Virat Kohli & Co. in the first semi-final in Manchester on Tuesday.
New Zealand managed to seal a spot in the semi-finals of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019 despite seeing a dip in form in their last four outings in the group stage. The Kane Williamson-led side managed to collect 11 points from nine games, having won five and lost three over the course of the last few weeks. The Kiwis qualified for the semis ahead of Pakistan who had the same points tally but an inferior net run-rate.
However, Kiwi head coach Gary Stead admitted that his players will have to put in a spectacular performance if they wanted to beat India in the semi-final that is scheduled to be played in Manchester on Tuesday.
"I hope everyone thinks that. I'm not spending a lot of time worrying about what other people are thinking, whether we should be here or not.
"India are a quality team. There's no doubt they've got match-winners right throughout their line-up. Hopefully you'll see what Kiwis are made of out there as well, that 'no die' attitude and I guess stand up when we need to," Stead was quoted as saying by AFP sources.
Meanwhile, Lockie Ferguson is expected to be back for the game against India, having recovered from the hamstring injury.