India beat New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday to enter an ODI World Cup final for the fourth time.
India have successfully crossed the hurdle of semi-final by beating New Zealand by 70 runs to enter an ODI World Cup final for the fourth time since its inception. After winning the toss, India posted a mammoth total of 397/4 in the first semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023 against New Zealand at a full-attendance Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
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Virat Kohli (117) brought up his record 50th ODI ton moving past great Sachin Tendulkar. Shreyas Iyer slammed a brisk 105. Captain Rohit Sharma set the tone upfront with a 29-ball 47. Opener Shubman Gill smashed an impressive and unbeaten 80. KL Rahul accumulated 39* in 20 deliveries at the tail-end of Indian innings.
In response, New Zealand put up a spirited fight despite losing both their openers early on to the wicket-hungry Mohammed Shami. Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson, along with the centurian Daryl Mitchell, gave India a bit of a scare with a 181-run stand before Shami, who joined the Indian camp midway, returned in the 33rd over to hand New Zealand a double blow in the form of Williamson and Tom Latham. Mitchell, who build a partnership with Glenn Philips (41), perished for 134 to Shami in the 46th over sealing the fate of the Kiwis.
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Shami ended up with seven wickets and was awarded Player of the match for his stunning bowling figures of 7/57. New Zealand were eventually bundled out for 327.
Indian fans, who suffered the massive heartbreak when India lost to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, had plenty to cheer about and they did so with memes.
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India will now be closely watching the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa scheduled on Thursday, the winner of which will meet the Men in Blue at the grand finale on November 19 in Ahmedabad.
