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.
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.
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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.
World Cup story pic.twitter.com/5xhnrrmgp1— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 15, 2023
2019 revenge completed – pic.twitter.com/oarvUOx5kx— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) November 15, 2023
NZ failing to stop India in ICC tournament pic.twitter.com/sVpgYlwI92— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 15, 2023
Mohammed Shami right now pic.twitter.com/pqWkQ2anme— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 15, 2023
Man sacrificed himself for the glorious purpose #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/vnxVkYM9vO— Aman (@Humourlessly) November 15, 2023
Mohammed Shami Remember the name. #Shami #INDvsNZpic.twitter.com/gXUv9UpTgI— ADVAITH (@SankiPagalAwara) November 15, 2023
️ ! Pics belong to the respective owners • #RohitSharma #INDvNZ #INDvsNZ #CricketComesHome #CWC23 #TeamIndia #BharatArmy #COTI pic.twitter.com/qDQc22aj9X
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) November 15, 2023
Same energy pic.twitter.com/tnD8huySjK— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 15, 2023
#IndiaVsNewZealand pic.twitter.com/QLHhCpmNqW— Hyderabad Hawaaa (@tweetsraww) November 15, 2023
Shami… so elegant, so beautiful, just looking like a pic.twitter.com/JeBgDCy8Z2— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) November 15, 2023
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.
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