India (Commonwealth) _ India won their fifth successive match in the 2023 ICC World Cup on Sunday, defeating New Zealand in Dharamshala to take the lead in the points table.
The victory also marked India’s fifth consecutive win in the ODI World Cup following a run chase, matching New Zealand’s record from the 2015 edition. India defeated Australia to kick up its World Cup campaign in 2023. Before defeating the Kiwis, the men in blue defeated Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, with all five victories coming while pursuing a target.
India was stretched to its maximum against New Zealand, with the home team winning by four wickets. Mohammad Shami led the assault with a fifer before Virat Kohli grabbed over with an impressive knock. Virat Kohli struck 95 as India defeated New Zealand in a contest featuring the only two unbeaten teams in the Cricket World Cup.
India won the tournament by four wickets on Sunday after achieving its target with 12 balls remaining in Dharamsala, finishing at 274-6. New Zealand were bowled out for 273 in 50 overs, with Daryl Mitchell scoring a quick 130.
It was India’s sixth straight victory to begin the competition, and they now lead the table. New Zealand is second following their first defeat. India chose to field and quickly dismissed both openers, but were sloppy on the field, losing three catches to let New Zealand off the hook.
Mitchell put on a 159-run stand with Rachin Ravindra (75), and New Zealand, sitting well at 205-3 in the 37th over, appeared to be on track for a 300-plus total before Indian spinners put a stop to it. Mohammed Shami led the charge, winning his first match of the tournament 5-54.
India’s raucous start was spearheaded by skipper Rohit Sharma (46) but it was Kohli’s fourth 50-plus score in five innings that helped inflict New Zealand’s first defeat of the tournament.
New Zealand defeated England, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, while India defeated Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Mohammed Shami led India’s valiant bowling effort, taking 5-54 in his first match of the competition, earning him the player-of-the-match title.
Ravindra Jadeja, a safe catcher ordinarily, dropped a sitter at backward point, providing a genuine reprieve. Mitchell got his fair share of luck as well. When he was on 59, KL Rahul dropped him behind the wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah later floored a legitimate catch in the deep.
After Shami removed Ravindra, New Zealand, which was cruising at 205-3 in the 37th over, crumbled in a heap, scoring 54 runs in the final ten overs and losing six wickets.
India had reached 100-2 in the 15th over when severe fog produced low vision, forcing the players to leave the field for a short period of time. Trent Boult bounced out Shreyas Iyer (33) after play restarted, and New Zealand clawed their way back into the game with the wickets of KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav.
Kohli, sensing a second consecutive century, denied a single but holed out in the next ball with India on the edge of victory. Kohli was on the verge of matching Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 one-day international (ODI) hundreds. Kohli attempted a six to break the record and seal the victory, but was caught close the boundary.
We didn’t quite capitalise on our position in the last 10 overs, but credit to India for how they bowled, said New Zealand skipper Tom Latham.
Hardik Pandya, India’s standout all-rounder, was ruled out of the table-topping duel due to a left ankle injury sustained in his team’s previous game against Bangladesh in Pune. Suryakumar Yadav was chosen in his place by the hosts. India also added pacer Shami to bowl all-rounder Shardul Thakur.
New Zealand’s lineup remained intact from its previous victory over Afghanistan in Chennai. Kane Williamson, the star batsman and skipper, is still out with a thumb injury, so Tom Latham led the team.
