India Vs New Zealand ICC World Cup semi-final brings back ghost of 2019 defeat, anxious fans flood social media with panic memes
Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinal on Wednesday. The memories of the 2019 World Cup semifinal, where New Zealand emerged victorious, loom large, adding an extra layer of tension for the cricket-crazy nation.
Under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue have displayed an impeccable record in the ongoing tournament, winning all nine matches leading up to the semifinal.
Despite this stellar performance, anxiety grips Indian cricket fans, and the cause of concern is the formidable opponent — New Zealand.
The Kiwis had shattered Indian dreams in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, dealing a devastating blow to the then MS Dhoni-led team. History further tilts the scale against India, as they have lost 9 out of 14 matches against New Zealand in the limited-overs format on the grand stage, failing to secure victory in a knockout round against them.
Fans find themselves caught between the excitement of India's stellar World Cup run and the nervous anticipation of facing New Zealand in a knockout round, a team that has repeatedly proven to be a formidable opponent.
As the much-anticipated clash approaches, social media platforms are buzzing with anxious Indian cricket fans expressing their emotions through a range of memes, fact sheets, and score-comparing statistics.
Despite the heartache of past defeats, there is a notable absence of resentment among the Indian cricket faithful. The focus is not solely on revenge but on reaching the final, erasing the painful memories of 2019.
