India has registered a commanding victory against New Zealand to reach the final of the ICC Men Cricket World Cup that will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad Gujrat on 19 November.
Virat Kohli’s brilliant knock of 117, coupled with Shreyas Iyer’s rapid-fire 105, powered India to a commanding total of 397-4 against New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Despite a valiant effort from Daryl Mitchell, who scored an impressive 134, New Zealand’s pursuit of the imposing target fell short as they were dismissed for 327. The hero of the day for India was Mohammed Shami, whose sensational career-best figures of 7-57 proved instrumental in dismantling the Kiwi batting lineup.
The Black Caps, fueled by a third-wicket partnership of 181 between captain Kane Williamson and Mitchell, briefly harbored hopes of an improbable victory at the Wankhede Stadium. However, Shami dashed those hopes with two crucial wickets in three balls during the 33rd over, ultimately sealing India’s place in the World Cup final.
Williamson, who had been dropped by Shami when on 52, succumbed for 69, flicking a delivery straight to Suryakumar Yadav at deep square leg. The dismissal of Tom Latham for a duck further dampened New Zealand’s spirits, reducing them to 220-4.
Shami continued to wreak havoc, surpassing his earlier tournament best of 5-18 by claiming the wickets of Mitchell, Southee, and the final man, Lockie Ferguson.
In other development, Virat Kohli etched his name in history by notching up his 50th one-day international (ODI) century, surpassing the previous record he shared with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
With this emphatic victory, India earned a spot in the final, where they will face the winner of the semi-final clash between Australia and South Africa scheduled for Thursday.
