After four years, India and New Zealand have found themselves in a familiar spot. The two sides will meet in the Cricket World Cup semi-final for the 2nd time in a row. India, unbeaten so far, is aiming for a different result this time around on November 15, in contrast to the last World Cup semi-final. The iconic Wankhede Stadium will host the game and in this article, we will analyze the Mumbai Cricket Stadium pitch report, records, and the last ODI match scorecard at the venue. Fantasy game players may find these stats helpful.
Prior to the Semi-final, Wankhede Stadium Mumbai hosted 4 games of the tournament, all of which turned out to be high-scoring clashes. In three out of the last four games, the team batting first managed to reach a 300-run total. Against England, South Africa nearly breached the 400-run mark as they posted 399. The most recent match in Wankhede, featuring Australia and Afghanistan, was a nail-biter as Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten double-century led the Aussies to chase Afghanistan’s 291 runs. We can expect fireworks during the IND vs NZ Sem-final as well.
Wankhede Stadium ODI Records during CWC 2023
If we look at the records of Mumbai ground during CWC 2023, the pitch has favored the team who has batted first. India met Sri Lanka in their group game here and it turned out to be a one-sided game. The Rohit Sharma-led side breached the 350-run mark and then the pace trio Shami, Bumrah, and Siraj restricted Sri Lanka to an embarrassing 55-run score. You can check
- CWC 2023 Games played in Wankhede: 4
- Games won by the team batting first: 3
- Games won by the team batting second: 1
- Biggest score while batting first: South Africa – 399/7 (50) vs England
- Lowest score while batting first: Afghanistan – 291/5 (50) vs Australia
- Biggest total chased: Australia chased 291 vs Afghanistan
- Lowest Score Defended: India defended 357 vs Sri Lanka
- Wankhede Stadium average 1st innings score in ODI: 357
- Wankhede Stadium average 2nd innings score in ODI: 187
- Best figures for a Pacer at Wankhede in CWC 2023: Mohammed Shami (IND) – 5/18 vs Sri Lanka
- Best figures for a Spinner at Wankhede in CWC 2023: Rashid Khan (AFG) – 2/44 vs Australia
- Highest score by a Batter at Wankhede CWC 2023: Glenn Maxwell (SL) – 201*(128) vs Afghanistan
- Total wickets taken by Pacers at Mumbai in CWC 2023: 47 in 4 games (Average 12 wickets per game)
- Total wickets taken by Spinners at Mumbai in CWC 2023: 11 in 4 games (Average 3 wickets per game)
Mumbai Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Wankhede pitch is known for its consistent bounce and boundaries at the venue are slightly smaller, which creates an ideal setting for batsmen. It is a high-scoring venue and has seen an average first innings total of 357 in the last four World Cup games played here. In the IND vs NZ semi-final at Wankhede, it will be the battle between Batsmen and Pacers. While spinners may not grab the spotlight at the venue, they play a crucial role in shaping the game in middle overs.
Chasing a total has seemed tough at the venue. In the last game, even Australia struggled to chase a 291-run total against Afghanistan. So, looking at the past ODI records at Wankhede the Toss winner may opt to bat first.
Is Wankhede Stadium a bowling or batting pitch?
The Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai pitch is a paradise for batsmen, yet it does offer assistance to pacers. A disciplined line and length will undoubtedly reap rewards for the fast bowlers; otherwise, they might face a battering. We can anticipate a 300-plus total in the upcoming IND vs NZ semi-final.
Mumbai Cricket Stadium Last ODI Match Scorecard
The last World Cup match in Mumbai took place on November 7 between Australia and Afghanistan. After winning the toss, Hashmatullah Shahidi chose to bat first, a decision that proved wise. Afghanistan set an imposing target of 292 runs for the mighty Aussies, whose batting order crumbled early on.
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At one point, the Kangaroos were struggling at 91 runs, losing 7 wickets. However, then came the Glenn Maxwell carnage. Maxwell was given a couple of lifelines, and that ultimately cost Afghanistan the match. The Asian side failed to take a single wicket thereafter, and Maxwell went on to score a double century, securing Australia a victory. It was the highest total that has ever been chased in Wankhede.
| Afghanistan : 291-5 (50) | Australia : 293-7 (46.5) |
| Ibrahim Zadran : 129*(143) | Glenn Maxwell : 201*(128) |
| Rashid Khan : 35*(18) | Mitchell Marsh : 24(11) |
| Hashmastullah Shahidi : 26(43) | David Warner : 18(29) |
| Josh Hazlewood : 9 – 0 – 39 – 2 | Rashid Khan : 10 – 0 – 44 – 2 |
| Glenn Maxwell : 10 – 0 – 55 – 1 | Naveen Ul Haq : 9 – 0 – 47 – 2 |
| Adam Zampa : 10 – 0 – 58 – 2 | Azmatullah Omarzai : 7 – 1 – 52 – 2 |