New Zealand is in a pivotal position as the competition for World Cup 2023 semi-final berths approaches its conclusion. On November 9, they will play Sri Lanka in a crucial match in Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium. But there's a big concern hanging over the game: will the rain cause the Blackcaps any trouble?
In the competition, New Zealand's standing is far from assured. As of right now, they and Pakistan are equal with eight points apiece. They had rain-related misfortune earlier in the competition, so their World Cup voyage in Bengaluru has been a little rough.
The Blackcaps' first game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium was against Pakistan, and they dominated the game by scoring a huge 401 runs in the first innings. Rain, however, caused disruptions in the second innings, and Pakistan prevailed by 21 runs using the DLS system.
The temperature on the day of the match is predicted to be about 27 degrees Celsius. Regrettably, there are legitimate worries over possible disruptions caused by rain. More than 70% of the forecast is for rain, with particularly strong showers expected between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Around the time of the game's coin flip, around 1:30 PM IST, thunderstorms are predicted by weather.com with a 66 per cent chance of precipitation. Up to 7:30 PM, this chance is anticipated to stay higher than 50%. The possibility of yet another game at Chinnaswamy Stadium being postponed due to rain is increased by AccuWeather's thunderstorm predictions for 3 PM and 7 PM.
Waterfall in Namma Bengaluru..... Beautiful.... ? #Bengalururains #Bangalore pic.twitter.com/2rZ6kRMjhT
— महावीर | ಮಹಾವೀರ | Mahaveer (@Mahaveer_VJ) November 8, 2023
To keep up their chances of making it to the semi-finals, New Zealand have to win against Sri Lanka. If the game is postponed due to rain, New Zealand's chances of making it to the semi-finals are going to rely on Pakistan's defeat of England.
For Sri Lanka, it's a source of pride and a chance to maintain their chances of qualifying for the Champions Trophy in two years.
All eyes are on Bengaluru's weather when the 2023 World Cup plays out. Sri Lanka wants to finish their campaign with a victory, while New Zealand is keen to win to guarantee their place in the semi-finals. The weather is unpredictable, which is a big worry given that the NZ versus PAK match was ruined by rain delays despite the high stakes.
For New Zealand, the equation is straightforward: win, and they'll play India in the first semi-final on November 15. With a net run rate better than both Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Kiwis are now fourth in the points rankings. If the Bengaluru weather cooperates, a victory would do. Fans of cricket are hoping that the weather doesn't interfere with this exciting World Cup match as they watch this pivotal match. It will take time to see if the weather gods in Bengaluru would favour New Zealand's hopes of making it to the semi-finals.
Give Your Feedback