Middle order crisis to cause trouble for India in Semis? - New Zealand's former captain reveals key

Former New Zealand player Daniel Vettori has revealed his speculation on how to defeat India in Semi-finals and also heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, saying he is "basically unplayable at this stage."

Ahead of the semifinal match between India and New Zealand, Vettori said the real threat for the New Zealand in Tuesday's game would be Bumrah, who just like Trent Boult, does a variety of deliveries.

England, in their group stage, targeted everyone else besides Bumrah and Vettori feels New Zealand should follow the same tactics against India at the Old Trafford.

"Jasprit Bumrah is basically unplayable at this stage, and against England he was his usual economical self," wrote Vettori in his column for the ICC.

"But despite that, England targeted everyone else. They were aggressive from the off against the spinners, against Hardik Pandya and they even got to Mohammed Shami at the death as well."

"I am fairly confident Shami will come back into the side to face New Zealand, he had a very good series down there at the start of the year. But New Zealand have got all the ingredients in place to put on a big total. I know they haven't done it yet," he added.

"They will have to be aggressive right from the outset and bowl to take wickets. If you take early wickets and can get at that Indian middle order then you have a chance," said Vettori.

"The key will be Trent Boult, he knows these Indian batsmen extremely well at this point. They have played each other many times in international cricket and the IPL and he, along with Kane and the coaching staff, will have plans in place."

"They have to stay aggressive, bowl to get wickets and let Trent work his magic at the start, in the middle and at the death where his reverse swing, yorkers and now a knuckleball as well, mark him out as one of the world's premier white-ball bowlers," he added.