Shubman Gill retires hurt on 79, Kohli-Iyer embrace limelight at Wankhede

Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill (Pic: AFP)

India vs New Zealand, ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final: India's Shubman Gill was forced to retire hurt on 79' in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The lanky opener had looked in fine touch during a 65-ball innings featuring eight fours and three sixes before leaving the field with cramp. At that stage India were 164-1 off 22.4 overs.

With runners no longer allowed in international cricket, Gill had to either bat on or call a halt to his innings. He can, however, resume batting at the fall of the next wicket.

Also Read: A date with destiny at Wankhede

Gill, 24, put on 71 for the first wicket with captain Rohit Sharma after the India captain won the toss, and 93 in 86 balls alongside Virat Kohli. Star batsman Kohli completed a 59-ball fifty, including four fours, to leave him halfway towards a record 50th one-day international century. He is currently level on 49 ODI hundreds with retired India great Sachin Tendulkar.

Earlier, Rohit unleashed his power-packed game after winning a crucial toss, hitting four sixes and as many boundaries to make 47 off just 29 balls. The 36-year-old got a couple of boundaries in the opening over before hitting Trent Boult over extra cover for a magnificent six.

There was a pulled six off the same bowler and a flicked six off Tim Southee as Rohit in short time showed his repertoire against short balls. Mitchell Santner ws greeted with a sweep and then a pulled six before holing out to Kane Williamson at mid-off off Southee.

Gill then took over and hit a flurry of boundaries but what stood out was a short arm pull off Lockie Ferguson.

One aggressive shot too many brought about Rohit's downfall but the momentum that he set with his blazing stroke-play allowed Gill to set his eye in.

Gill (52 not out off 44 balls) took the baton from his skipper to complete a polished half-century.

(With agency inputs)