IND vs NZ: How sea breeze at Wankhede Stadium will make life tough for team batting second during Powerplay

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IND vs NZ: Billion fans of the Indian cricket team would be hoping for New Zealand to bat second against Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami at the all-important semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 15.

The reason behind is exciting. The sea breeze flowing into the Wankhede Stadium giant window panes above the Sunil Gavaskar and Vijay Merchant Pavilions, helps the pacers massively from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - when the first first powerplay of the second innings is bowled.

The flat batting-friendly surface at the Wankhede is a bowler's paradise during the period. The shiny new ball gives batters a tough time during the period.

The otherwise flat deck has sprung to life under lights during the deadly hour for batsmen. During this period, the shiny new white ball tends to move around a little more. The theory is backed by evidence.

In the ongoing World Cup, the powerplay scores of teams batting second are - 67/4, 35/3, 14/6 and 52/4. Except for Australia who were helped by a miraculous Glenn Maxwell knock, no other team could recover from the collapse.

In March this year, India were reduced to 39/3 while chasing against Australia before KL Rahul compiled a mature knock to help India chase 189. Nadeem Memon, a former curator at Wankhede, discussed the unique condition with 'The Indian Express'.

“There’s a saying in Mumbai that if you are batting in Mumbai, that too in the evening, then wait for the first 10 overs. That’s when the evening breeze is passing by. Respect that. It can cost a batsman his wicket," he told Indian Express.

IND vs NZ Pitch Report: What should India do after winning toss?

It's a no-brainer that India should opt to bowl second. They should be very cautious in the first 10 overs if batting second. Glenn Maxwell's record-breaking 201-run knock proved that Wankhede offers perfect batting conditions again after the first powerplay of the second innings.