India is poised to make history. The Indian cricket team captained by Rohit Sharma needs one more victory to win the ODI World Cup in 2023. India will compete in their third ODI Cricket World Cup if they win the championship match on Sunday. In the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup, India defeated New Zealand by 70 runs, however captain Rohit Sharma claimed his team played a bit carelessly. He also praised the 181-run partnership between Kiwi batsmen Daryl Mitchell and captain Kane Williamson.
Highlights of India’s 70-wicket victory against New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup quarterfinals at Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday included Mohammed Shami’s seven-wicket haul and Virat Kohli’s historic 50th ODI century.
“I have played a lot of cricket here, any score on this ground, you cannot relax. Got to get the job done quickly and stay at it. We knew there would be pressure on us. We were very calm, even though we were a bit sloppy on the field. These things are bound to happen (the partnership between Mitchell and Kane) but glad we could get the job done,” said Rohit in the post-match presentation.
“It is hard to say if we would have been in trouble [had India scored 30-40 less]. They would not have taken those risks. Williamson and Mitchell batted brilliantly. Was important for us to stay calm. The crowd went silent, but we knew we needed a catch or run out. Shami was brilliant. The form all the guys are in, top five-six batters, whenever they have gotten an opportunity, they have made it count. Very pleased to see what Iyer has done for us this tournament. Gill, the way he has batted for us has been brilliant. Unfortunately, he had to go off with cramps.”
“Kohli did what he does, also got to his landmark century as well. England game we got 230 on the board, way bowlers bowled with the new ball was amazing. Today obviously being the semifinal, would not say there was no pressure, whenever you play there is pressure. Semifinal adds a bit extra, we wanted to not think too much about it, just do what we’ve been doing like in the first nine games. Things came off for us nicely in the second half,” he concluded. (H/T – NDTV Sports)
India chose to bat first earlier in the day and amassed 397/4 in their 50 overs. With a 71-run opening partnership, captain Rohit Sharma (47 in 29 balls, four boundaries and four sixes) and Shubman Gill (80 in 66 balls, eight fours and three sixes) set the tone for a great start.
As India amassed a mammoth score, Virat Kohli (117 in 113 balls, with nine fours and two sixes) struck his 50th ODI ton, and Shreyas Iyer (105 in 70 balls, with four boundaries and eight sixes) got his second consecutive WC century. Along with that, KL Rahul scored 39 runs in 20 balls, including two sixes and five fours.
For the Kiwis, the best bowler was Tim Southee (3/100). Trent Boult (1/86) secured a wicket as well.
The Kiwis lost two early wickets in their chase of 398. But a 181-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell (134 in 119 balls, with nine fours and six sixes) and skipper Kane Williamson (69 in 73 balls, with eight centuries and a six) kept Kiwis alive and Indian bowlers squirming for solutions. Glenn Phillips contributed a crucial knock of 41 as well. But Shami’s two-wicket over turned the tide of the match, as Men in Blue bowled brilliantly in the final overs to hold NZ to 327 in 48.5 overs.
The Kiwis lost two early wickets in their chase of 398. But a 181-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell (134 in 119 balls, with nine fours and six sixes) and skipper Kane Williamson (69 in 73 balls, with eight centuries and a six) kept Kiwis alive and Indian bowlers squirming for solutions. Glenn Phillips contributed a crucial knock of 41 as well. But Shami’s two-wicket over turned the tide of the match, as Men in Blue bowled brilliantly in the final overs to hold NZ to 327 in 48.5 overs.
In addition to Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav each claimed a wicket. Shami’s dream spell won him the title of “Player of the Match.”
