The host nation India succeeded in overcoming the strong challenge from New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday in the semifinal of the ICC World Cup. The main highlights of the innings of the men in blue happen to be centuries made by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, as well as the majestic figures of seven for 57 by Mohammed Shami. All these three feats combined to enable India to gain a road to the finals of the ICC World Cup.
India batted first and succeeded in making as many as 397 for 4. In reply, the Kiwis were bowled out for 327 in 48.5 overs. Incidentally, India had lost to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semifinal which took place in England in Manchester. By this time, the Indians were able to turn the tables and become victorious and they will await the winners of the second semifinal between Australia and South Africa.
The New Zealand innings
New Zealand started the innings through Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway; however, Conway was dismissed in the first delivery from Mohammed Shami when the Indian wicketkeeper K.L. Rahul succeeded in taking a diving catch. The New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, played a good innings; he started in a defensive manner and later he began to score runs at will. However, after the departure of Ravindra, the New Zealand captain built a strong partnership with the ever-dependable Daryl Mitchell, and they were able to put up a fantastic 181-run partnership for the third wicket.
The innings of Williamson was almost flawless and he got a life when Shami dropped his catch when he made only 52. On the other hand, his partner Mitchell, was playing brilliantly and was able to complete his century with ease. Nevertheless, Williamson got out after making 69 and he became the victim of Shami in the long run.
The Indian innings
After winning the toss, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to bat, and he began on a promising note along with Shubman Gill. The Indian skipper was playing exceptionally well and made 47 before falling eventually. In came the betting maestro Virat Kohli, and he along with Shubman Gill continued to build the Indian innings. Unfortunately, Gill was forced to withdraw from the game because of injury after making 80. Kohli, along with the KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, helped India post a big score after both of them succeeded in scoring centuries. Incidentally, Virat went on to make 117 and Shreyas scored a valiant 105. Ultimately, the men in blue were able to post a score that was beyond the reach of the New Zealand cricket team. The result was that India managed to win the match by as many as 70 runs and the player of the match was Shami.
