On Wednesday, 15 November 2023, the Indian cricket team delivered a stunning performance against New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, winning by 70 runs in the first Semi-Final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, with notable performances from R Sharma, S Gill, V Kohli, and S Iyer of India and D Mitchell of New Zealand. M. Shami of India, who took 7 wickets, was named the Player of the Match.
India, having won the toss, chose to bat first. The decision proved fruitful as the team put up a mammoth score of 397 runs for the loss of just 4 wickets. The Indian batting line-up showcased their prowess with notable performances from Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer.
Sharma scored a quickfire 47 off just 29 balls, while Gill contributed a solid 80 off 66 balls. Kohli, the Indian skipper, led from the front with a magnificent century, scoring 117 off 113 balls. This was Kohli’s 50th One Day International century, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Iyer provided the late onslaught, scoring a blistering 105 off just 70 balls.
In response, New Zealand managed to score 327 runs before being bowled out in the 49th over. Devon Mitchell was the standout performer for the Kiwis, scoring a valiant 134 off 119 balls. However, the rest of the New Zealand batting line-up could not keep up with the required run rate.
The Indian bowling attack was spearheaded by Mohammed Shami, who had an exceptional outing. Shami took 7 wickets, conceding just 57 runs in his spell of 9.5 overs. This was Shami’s 50th wicket in the ICC Cricket World Cup. His performance was instrumental in restricting New Zealand and he was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match.
This victory was particularly sweet for India, as it served as a redemption for their heartbreaking defeat against New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup. The match was a testament to India’s dominance in the tournament, having topped their group for the third consecutive time.
This was also India’s fourth consecutive semi-final appearance in the ODI Cricket World Cup, and it ended India’s drought of losing to New Zealand in ICC tournaments, marking their first victory against the black caps after two decades.
Post-match Reactions and Analysis:
The victory was met with widespread acclaim, both from fans and cricketing experts. Virat Kohli’s 50th One Day International ton and Mohammed Shami’s 50th ICC Cricket World Cup wicket were particularly celebrated, marking significant milestones in their respective careers.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter to congratulate Kohli on his achievement, expressing his joy that an Indian player broke his record. He praised Kohli’s passion and skill and noted the significance of achieving this milestone on such a big stage – the World Cup Semi-final – and at his home ground.
The first time I met you in the Indian dressing room, you were pranked by other teammates into touching my feet. I couldn’t stop laughing that day. But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill. I am so happy that that young boy has grown into a ‘Virat’ player.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 15, 2023
I… pic.twitter.com/KcdoPwgzkX
ESPNcricinfo, a reputable cricket news source, also acknowledged Kohli’s achievement, tweeting, “Scaling a summit that no one has reached before. A snapshot of Virat Kohli’s half-century of ODI hundreds.”
Scaling a summit that no one has reached before 🥇
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 16, 2023
A snapshot of Virat Kohli's half-century of ODI hundreds ✨ https://t.co/ZJU7BiHY79 #INDvNZ #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/cYmVK3xsny
Social media was abuzz with reactions to the match, with fans expressing their excitement and anticipation for the final. The dominant performance by India was widely recognized as a key factor in their victory.
Despite the celebrations, the match was not devoid of controversies, with concerns raised over pitch changes without proper notice. However, these did not dampen the spirits of the Indian team or their fans, who are now eagerly looking forward to the final.
This semi-final match was a significant event in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and it has been widely discussed and analyzed. The anticipation is now building for the final, where India will be looking to lift the coveted trophy.
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