• India defeated New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semi-final of the ODI World Cup 2023.

  • Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami performed brilliantly for India and played a vital role in helping them secure final berth.

Twitter reactions: Mohammed Shami’s record performance against New Zealand takes India into the final of ODI World Cup 2023
Mohammed Shami's record performance against New Zealand takes India into the final of ODI World Cup 2023 (Image Source:: Twitter)

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In a spectacular display of skill and determination, the Indian cricket team secured their place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final by defeating New Zealand in the semifinal clash of the tournament at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday (November 15). The match witnessed a stellar performance from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, setting the stage for a memorable victory for the Men in Blue.

India’s dominant batting display

Opting to bat after winning the toss, India’s top order showcased their prowess, amassing a formidable total of 397-4 in their allotted 50 overs. Rohit Sharma set the tone with a brisk 47 off 29 deliveries, but it was the duo of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli who stole the spotlight. Gill’s impressive 80 off 66 deliveries laid a solid foundation, paving the way for Kohli’s masterclass.

Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s blazing tons

Virat smashed breathtaking 117 runs off 113 deliveries that featured nine fours and two sixes, leaving the opposition in awe. Not only did Kohli guide India to a mammoth total, but he also etched his name in history by securing his 50th ODI century, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 hundred in the 50-over format. Shreyas Iyer played the perfect supporting role with a quickfire 105 runs off just 70 balls, forming a crucial partnership of 163 runs with Kohli after Gill unfortunately was retired hurt.

New Zealand’s rough chase and Daryl Mitchell’s resilience

Chasing a target of 398, New Zealand faced an uphill battle against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Daryl Mitchell‘s valiant effort of 134 runs off 119 deliveries and Kane Williamson’s 69 off 73 provided some resistance. However, the fall of wickets at crucial junctures hampered New Zealand’s pursuit.

Mohammed Shami’s historic 7-fer

The dismissals of key players like Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, and others, courtesy of Mohammed Shami‘s historic spell of 7/57, proved to be decisive in India’s favour. The scoreboard reflected a challenging journey for the Kiwis, and they eventually were bundled out for 327 runs, loosing the contest by 70 runs.

Also WATCH: Daryl Mitchell hammers Ravindra Jadeja for the biggest six of ODI World Cup 2023 – IND vs NZ, 1st semifinal

Sweet revenge for India

This victory holds special significance for India as it marks their return to the ODI World Cup final after a hiatus since 2011. The Men in Blue also avenged the heartbreak of the 2019 edition, where they fell short of the ultimate glory and faced a setback at the hands of the Blackcaps in the semifinal.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also READ: ‘Virat bhai ke aage koi bol sakta hai kya?’ – 10 most hilarious and creative placards displayed by the crowd during ODI World Cup 2023

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About the Author:
VISHWANATH HARIHARAN
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.