'When MS Dhoni was the captain...': Shastri draws parallels between India's 2011 & 2023 WC campaigns

India face New Zealand in a crucial ODI World Cup encounter at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The Men in Blue alongside the Kiwis are the two only undefeated sides so far in the tournament and one of them is set to lose that coveted record. Team India haven't beaten New Zealand at any ICC events for the last 20 years.

3 things you need to know

• India take on New Zealand in ODI World Cup
• Both teams are yet to lose a single game
• The Kiwis have commanded dominating performances in the tournament

Also Read: 'They are going to employ...': Scott Styris reveals New Zealand's 2019 World Cup plan against India

India to lose against New Zealand? Ravi Shastri shares his verdict

Ravi Shastri feels losing in the group stage would be much better than losing in knockouts and crashing out of the tournament. While speaking with Star Sports, he also used the reference of MS Dhoni. 

“In 2011 India lost one game. And that was a league game to New Zealand, but they went on to win the World Cup. I remember MS Dhoni when he was the captain said once, you know, sometimes in the league format (in World Cup), it's good to lose one game, you know, because you know, you don't want to be suddenly caught in a semi final or final where you want everything and then you get the shivers.

Each team will play nine round-robin  matches and the top four with the most number of points will qualify directly for the semifinal. 

New Zealand are dubbed as one of the favourites

Also Read: 'Some sort of planning...': Rohit Sharma reveals what it takes to beat New Zealand in World Cup

The semifinal loss in the 2019 ODI World Cup still comes back to haunt as MS Dhoni's runout completely changed the complexion of the game. Kane Williamson's side has started the 2023 World Cup in a similar fashion having dominated all the games. They thrashed defending champions England in the first game and then have gone on to register consecutive wins against the Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. In the 2011 World Cup too, the Men in Blue lost a game against  New Zealand and went on to lift the World Cup after a gap of 28 years.