As India meet New Zealand in what is anticipated to be a high-powered contest with Virat Kohli’s clad, the fans are sending their best wishes to the team to lift the coveted trophy for the third time.

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju also joined the league ahead of the World Cup 2019 semi-final being played at Old Trafford in Manchester today.

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“I have sent my good wishes to the Indian cricket team and I am hopeful they will perform well,” Rijiju told news agency ANI. He also tweeted his letter to Ravi Shastri, India’s head coach, Virat Kohli and his team.

In a letter addressed to Ravi Shastri, captain Virat Kohli and Team India, Rijiju said that the team is the nation’s pride and everyone across the country is celebrating their success.

“A billion cheers galore as you go into play in the semi-finals, hoping that this success continues through to the final, and you bring home the World Cup,” the Sports Minister wrote in his letter.

Best wishes to #TeamIndia for #ICCWorldCup2019 Semi Final match against #NewZealand #INDvNZ
Bring the Cup 🏆to India 🇮🇳 #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/Ezb5a1kZl9

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) July 9, 2019

On Sunday, Rijiju had said that he is ‘extremely optimistic’ that India will lift the cup for the third time. He had congratulated the team when it reached the semi-finals last week.

“I have already sent my official greetings to the coach and Indian team. Since India is already there in the semi-finals, we hope and looking at the performance of our players, we are extremely optimistic and hopeful that India will be able to lift the World Cup once again and will bring the World Cup back home for the third time,” the minister had said.

India have won the World Cup twice – in 1983 and in 2011 – whereas New Zealand are yet to lift the coveted trophy. Along with the West Indies’ team, India is the second most successful team in World Cup history.

Although India have lost one match in the series, they entered the semi-final with a winning momentum behind their back as they won their last two matches. On the other hand, the Kiwis lost their last two matches and they would look to change their fortunes around.