15 November,2023 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | R Kaushik
India’s Virat Kohli celebrates his record 50th ODI century during the semi-final against NZ at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. Pics/Satej Shinde
This was a clash that had everything an Indian cricket fan could hope for. A magical 50th One-Day International century for Virat Kohli. A swashbuckling second successive ton for hometown hero Shreyas Iyer. A humongous batting effort in a knockout game. A fabulous New Zealand chase masterminded by Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell. Another five-wicket haul for the unstoppable Mohammed Shami. And a popular home victory that propelled the tempo-setting Rohit Sharma and his men to the final of the World Cup. Wednesday at the Wankhede Stadium threw up entertainment of the highest order. After India batted by choice, Rohit launched a customary stunning assault on New Zealand's new-ball attack, on which the rest feasted ravenously.
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Shubman Gill produced a fluent half-century when he was laid low by cramps, and Kohli and Iyer tore NZ to shreds during a three-way second-wicket stand of 256. KL Rahul delivered the final kick in inimitable style to propel India to 397 for four in front of a packed house that included Sachin Tendulkar, whose mark of 49 tons Kohli laid low and was rewarded with a huge from his hero at the break, and David Beckham. New Zealand didn't cave in; they don't know how to. But despite a third-wicket stand of 181 between the captain and Mitchell, who had also scored a century in the league clash between the sides in Dharamsala, New Zealand had left themselves with too much to do.
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KL Rahul hugs India pacer Mohammed Shami who took 7-57 yesterday
Shami, a late entrant into the World Cup, not just broke the burgeoning stand but took it upon himself to finish the job he had started by dismissing openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, finishing with career-best figures of seven for 57 - the best in ODIs by an Indian -- that took him to 23 wickets, the most for the competition. The Bengal paceman hastened the end as the Kiwis were bowled out for 327, India coasting to a 70-run victory.
India were shoddy and ragged in the field, dropping Williamson on 52 - not the only chance put down - but they kept their nerve when it mattered most. It was the least they could do after another dominating performance by their batsmen, who made the best use of an outstanding surface to flex their muscles.
Rohit was quickly off the blocks, fours and sixes cascading from his willow to stagger the Kiwis straightaway. Gill gradually came into his own, while Kohli was his busy, industrious self, only occasionally indulging himself as he rode on his bread-and-butter menu, hard-run ones and twos.
Gill's retirement due to cramps ushered Iyer in and riding on the confidence of a ton against Netherlands on Sunday, he produced several massive blows that were later matched by Mitchell. Using his long levers to the hilt, he smashed eight sixes before falling in the final over. By then, India were positively humming.
Brief scores
India 397-4 in 50 overs (V Kohli 117, S Iyer 105, S Gill 80', R Sharma 47, KL Rahul 39'; T Southee 3-100) beat New Zealand 327 all out in 48.5 overs (D Mitchell 134, K Williamson 69, G Phillips 41; M Shami 7-57) by 70 runs
