Team India registered a comprehensive 70-run victory over New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday (November 15).
Opting to bat first, the hosts racked up a mammoth 397/4 on the board, courtesy of centuries from Virat Kohli (117 off 113) and Shreyas Iyer (105 off 70). Shubman Gill (80* off 66) and Rohit Sharma (47 off 29) set the tone with a 71-run opening stand.
Defending the total, India pacer Mohammad Shami dismissed the Kiwis openers – Devon Conway (13) and Rachin Ravindra (13) – cheaply. However, the duo of Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell added 181 runs for the third wicket to bail New Zealand out of trouble.
In particular, Mitchell was severe on the Indian bowlers as he notched up his hundred in 85 deliveries. Just when India needed the much-needed breakthrough, Shami provided it by removing Williamson on 69. The right-arm quick also got rid of Tom Latham in the same over to reduce the BlackCaps to 220/4.
Afterwards, Mitchell stitched a 75-run partnership with Glenn Phillips but they failed to keep the required run-rate in check. Bumrah broke the stand with the wicket of Phillips on 44.
In his second spell, Shami dismissed Daryl Mitchell (134 off 119), Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson to return with a seven-wicket haul (7/57), helping India bundle out the Kiwis for 327 in 48.5 overs.
Cricket fraternity lauded Shami for his stunning spell that propelled India to the final of the World Cup 2023 final.
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