India won the toss and chose to bat first against New Zealand in 1st SF in Mumbai.
India batter Suryakumar Yadav opened up about his excitement to be part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinal against New Zealand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Suryakumar said that it is very easy to call the India versus New Zealand semifinal just another game, but it is not, saying it is a high-pressure game. The right-hander said that the semi-final is a big moment and everyone is very excited for the match, which is being played in Mumbai.
Suryakumar Yadav was quoted as saying by Star Sports: “It's a big moment. I am very excited for the game. Whenever a knockout game comes along, the excitement increases. Now, everything is very calm at the moment. But everyone is very excited. I will say the truth. It is always easy to say it's just another game, but it's a high-pressure game.”
Suryakumar admitted that India’s past record against New Zealand and in the knockout stages of the World Cup would remain in the players minds, but they are taking this game as a new one, and it may help the Men in Blue this time.
He signed off by saying, “It's human tendency to think about the past. It does stay in your mind. But it depends on how you keep it out of your mind when you enter the ground and see it as a new game and a fresh opportunity. That's how In see it and I hope the team does the same as well.”
Notably, Team India had to suffer a heartbreaking defeat against the Black Caps in the semifinal in 2019, but this time, the hosts have been on fire and fans are expecting the team to make it to the final of the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023 on 15 November.
(With PTI/Star Sports Inputs)