India vs New Zealand, World Cup 2023: Shami spits fire, Mitchell's onslaught and other top moments from semis
India vs New Zealand, World Cup 2023: Shami spits fire, Mitchell's onslaught and other top moments from semis
Team India were made to toil during their 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday before the Men in Blue pulled off a remarkable victory to qualify for the final. Centuries from Virat Kohli (117) and Shreyas Iyer (105) had led the hosts to 397/7 from 50 overs after opting to bat.
World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table
New Zealand fought back in their reply, with Daryl Mitchell (134) and Kane Williamson (69) headlining their efforts. The Black Caps were 219/2 to one stage with Williamson and Mitchell looking good, but the dismissal of the Kiwi skipper in the 33rd over spoiled New Zealand’s party.
The day with the ball belonged to Mohammed Shami, whose figures of 7/57 helped India dismiss the visitors for 327.
It was a game that had its moments, right from Kohli shattering records to Daryl Mitchell’s onslaught. Let’s look at more such moments here:
Virat Kohli brings Wankhede alive
There has been only one man dominating India’s batting throughout the 2023 Cricket World Cup —Virat Kohli.
Less than a week after Kohli went level with Sachin Tendulkar to get to ODI century No 49, the 35-year-old did one better.
Against New Zealand, when Kohli scored his 100th run in the 106th ball he faced, the Delhi cricketer broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most ODI tons, thereby getting to century number 50.
When Kohli did so, the Wankhede Stadium crowd was at its feet. Kohli later went on to say that it felt “like a dream” to have eclipsed Tendulkar’s record.
Kohli had walked out to bat in the ninth over following Rohit’s dismissal and went on to forge a 163-run stand with fellow centurion Shreyas Iyer that eventually took India to a winning total.
Rohit Sharma’s powerplay assault
After India had elected to bat first, Rohit Sharma gave the best possible start the hosts could ever ask for.
Rohit would go on to hit Trent Boult for a couple of fours in the first over, before lofting over extra cover for a six in the third over. He was merciless right from the start, even hitting Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner for a couple of boundaries in their respective overs.
Just when Rohit was about to get going again after a few boundary-less deliveries, he holed it out to Kane Williamson at mid-off off a slower ball from Southee in the ninth over. Rohit was dismissed for a 27-ball 49.
Mohammed Shami makes it a night to remember
Mohammed Shami was on fire with the ball on Wednesday, as he has been for most part of the tournament ever since he became a regular part of the playing XI.
It was a special night for the 33-year-old. Not only did he finish with impeccable figures of 7/57, but also Shami scaled new heights, becoming the first Indian bowler to take 50 wickets in World Cups.
Shami got to the milestone when he struck Tom Latham LBW in the 33rd over over the Kiwis’ innings.
Daryl Mitchell keeps hopes alive
Daryl Mitchell headlined New Zealand’s fightback in their mammoth run-chase.
The Kiwis had lost Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra in the powerplay, but Mitchell and Williamson put on 181 runs for the third wicket to give them some hope. During the process, Mitchell would get to his sixth ODI hundred, with a single off Shami in the 33rd over, just before the Kiwis lost Williamson and Latham.
However, following wickets at regular intervals, Mitchell would eventually lack support, before being dismissed by Shami in the 48th over.
Mitchell’s mammoth six
Had it not been for Mitchell’s dismissal, it would have been a totally different story altogether. That was how impactful Mitchell was.
In the fifth ball of the 27th over, Ravindra Jadeja bowled a tossed up delivery, and Mitchell took the opportunity with both hands.
Mitchell knew what to do. He cleared his front leg on this occasion, before launching this one high over long-on for a 107m six. That was also the biggest maximum of this tournament. That was also Mitchell at his best, batting like a beast.
What's Your Reaction?
