In a star-studded affair at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, former Manchester United legend and football great David Beckham graced the semi-final clash between India and New Zealand. Engaging in conversations with Indian players, Beckham also shared a moment with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar before the toss.
Beckham, presently in India as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, aligns with UNICEF and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to advocate for gender inclusion and women’s empowerment through cricket.
Amidst the excitement, India won the toss, and Rohit Sharma announced the decision to bat first in this crucial encounter. The home side aims to conquer the ghosts of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2019, entering the knockout stage undefeated in all nine league matches. In a previous face-off against New Zealand at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala, Virat Kohli’s stellar 95-run innings led India to victory.
As the Men in Blue chase their cricketing dreams, the 35-year-old Kohli is on the verge of securing his 50th ODI ton, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the match.
New Zealand, after a strong start with four consecutive victories, faced a downturn, losing as many matches consecutively. Their recent triumph over Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, with Trent Boult’s three-wicket haul, propels them into the semi-final showdown against India. The Kiwis are geared up for a fierce contest in their quest for cricketing glory.
