New Delhi: Former England football legend David Beckham is expected to grace the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, joining cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar for the thrilling India vs New Zealand semi-final encounter. A star-studded gathering of celebrities will add to the excitement of this highly anticipated match.
Joining him in the exclusive VVIP gallery are expected to be an array of former cricketers, film personalities, and sports stars, all converging to witness the high-stakes showdown between India and New Zealand.
Beckham is in India as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The International Cricket Council has entered into a partnership with UNICEF to empower women and girls and promote inclusion and gender equality through cricket.
India, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, has showcased stellar prowess in the ongoing tournament, securing a remarkable nine consecutive victories. Finishing the league stage at the pinnacle of the ODI World Cup 2023 standings with an impressive 18 points, the team maintained a noteworthy net run rate of +2.570.
After finishing at the top of the standings, India will take on the Kiwis, who finished in fourth place on the points table.
India started their campaign after defeating Australia. The ‘Men in Blue’ then went on to defeat Afghanistan, their arch-rival Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands.
The ‘Men in Blue’ finished the league round with a resounding 160-run victory over the Dutch side, keeping their perfect unbeaten record in the ongoing tournament intact.
The Men in Blue have won nine consecutive matches at this year’s World Cup, putting them in position to add a third trophy to their collection after previous triumphs in 1983 and 2011.