India (Commonwealth) _ India thwarted an aggressive New Zealand’s comeback to reach the twenty-third edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup final on Indian soil, and secured a massive victory of 70 runs with the batting contribution of great Virat Kohli and incredible bowler Mohammed Shami.
India defeated New Zealand in the tournament’s first semifinal on Wednesday in Mumbai, after setting a target of 398. When India, supported by a fanatical home crowd at the Wankhede Stadium, dismissed both New Zealand openers for 39 runs in the eighth over, the result appeared to be a formality.
However, Daryl Mitchell, along with his skipper, Kane Williamson scored 69 runs as part of a 181-run partnership. However, India, counting on a massive score, opened the gates of New Zealand’s batting with the wicket of Glenn Phillips and all but secured the triumph with Mitchell’s departure in the 46th over.
Shami got seven wickets to make amends after losing Williamson’s catch earlier in the innings. Shami stated that his squad was determined not to allow the opportunity to win a home World Cup slide through their fingers.
“We’d come close in the past, but this was one chance we weren’t going to pass up.” “Who knows when the next opportunity will come,” he added after being named player of the match.
If the night went to Shami, the day went to Kohli, who moved into first place among one-day international (ODI) majors with his 50th century. The achievement saw him surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds.
As the Indian cricket team travels from city to city like a traveling carnival, steamrolling all opponents in a home World Cup, they are cheered on by stadiums crowded with supporters wearing replica blue jerseys, many with “Virat 18” on their backs.
Meanwhile, India’s best batter, Virat Kohli, is enjoying the time of his life. Kohli was 23 when India last won the World Cup in 2011.
That night, during a joyful lap around the field in Mumbai, he memorably put Tendulkar on his shoulders and delivered a remarkable comment to the cameras: “He’s carried the burden of the nation for 21 years, so it’s time we carry him on our shoulders.”
If India wins the World Cup, it is not impossible that Kohli will be the one hoisted in Ahmedabad. In the 12 years since then, he has attained a level of celebrity that few in the sport have ever attained. To the outside world, Kohli represents Indian cricket. He has come to signify something larger in India: brilliance itself.
After winning the toss, India batted first, headed by Captain Rohit Sharma. The right-handed batsman was the first to go in the ninth over, offering a chance to his opposite number, Williamson, off Tim Southee’s bowling for 47.
Shubman Gill, another opener, seemed to be on his way to three figures until he was forced to hobble out owing to cramping. He would subsequently return to finish undefeated on 80 after the loss of Suryakumar Yadav.
The innings, the match, and potentially the World Cup may still be all about Kohli, who batted calmly and measuredly from the start.
He completed his half-century in 59 balls. There was no race to the century or a chance to stand out in history. When he eventually got it in 106 balls, the fan favorite sprang up in delight before collapsing to the ground in delight and bewilderment. Shreyas Iyer, another centurion, shattered Kiwi hopes with eight sixes in a 70-ball innings.
Southee, who ultimately caught Kohli for 117 as the huge shots flew, also scored a century. His ten overs yielded three wickets but went for an even hundred. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the squad on their fourth final appearance.
Modi wrote in a post on X, “Fantastic batting and good bowling sealed the match for our team.” Meanwhile, Tendulkar praised Shami’s seven-wicket performance on Twitter, writing, “What a Shami-final!!!!!!” Congratulations to India for reaching the final with a terrific batting outburst and a spectacular bowling performance.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan called the current Indian team “too strong” and praised Rohit for his leadership.
