- Virat Kohli’s Century and Mohammed Shami’s Seven-Wicket Haul Power India to World Cup Final
- India vs New Zealand: A High-Scoring Thriller with a Dramatic Twist
India vs New Zealand: A Tale of Two Centuries and a Seven-Wicket Haul
Introduction
The semi-final encounter between India and New Zealand in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will live on in the minds of cricket fans for many years to come. It was a high-scoring game in which both teams demonstrated their batting prowess. However, it was India who triumphed, thanks to a record-breaking century from Virat Kohli and a remarkable seven-wicket haul from Mohammed Shami.
India’s Batting Masterclass
After winning the toss, India opted to bat first, and they did not disappoint. Rohit Sharma, the captain, set the tone with a quickfire 47 off 29 balls. He was ably supported by Shubman Gill, who scored 66 before retiring hurt due to cramps. However, it was the middle-order duo of Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer who stole the show.
The semi-final encounter between India and New Zealand in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will live on in the minds of cricket fans for many years to come. It was a high-scoring game in which both teams demonstrated their batting prowess. However, it was India who triumphed, thanks to a record-breaking century from Virat Kohli and a remarkable seven-wicket haul from Mohammed Shami.
Thanks to these two stellar innings, India posted a mammoth total of 397 for 4 wickets.
New Zealand’s Valiant Chase
New Zealand, in reply, started their chase positively. They were going well at 220 for 2 when Shami struck. He took four wickets in a quick succession, breaking the back of New Zealand’s middle-order.
Daryl Mitchell, who scored a fighting 134, tried to keep New Zealand in the hunt, but Shami was simply unstoppable. He ended with figures of 7 for 57, the best bowling figures in a World Cup semi-final.
New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 327, falling 70 runs short of India’s total.
Shami’s Heroics and India’s Triumph
Shami’s performance was the highlight of the match. He was the destroyer-in-chief, and his seven wickets were instrumental in India’s victory. This was his fourth five-wicket haul in the tournament, and it cemented his place as one of the best bowlers in the world.
Apart from Shami, Kohli’s century was another key factor in India’s win. This was a much-needed innings for Kohli, and it silenced his critics. He showed that he still can score big runs on the big stage.
Conclusion
The India vs New Zealand semi-final was a match that had it all – runs, wickets, and drama. It was a fitting end to a high-quality tournament, and it will be remembered as one of the best World Cup semi-finals in recent history.