After that, Shubman Gill reached a half-century and created yet another significant alliance with Virat Kohli. India and New Zealand met in the first semifinal of the current ODI World Cup 2023 in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma decided to bat first after winning the toss. Prior to the game, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put up a quick start in the first inning and shared a partnership of more than fifty runs. However, Tim Southee ended the partnership by dismissing Rohit for 47 runs. Due to a groin injury, the youthful opener was forced to retire at the age of 79.
The hug moment of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.
– The moment for lifetime, Frame this picture…!!!!❤️ pic.twitter.com/H7Pu0D7l0V
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) November 15, 2023
The first time I met you in the Indian dressing room, you were pranked by other teammates into touching my feet. I couldn’t stop laughing that day. But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill. I am so happy that that young boy has grown into a ‘Virat’ player.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 15, 2023
The hosts amassed an impressive 397/4, thanks to centuries from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, who completely outclassed the New Zealand bowling attack. With 113 deliveries, Kohli scored 117 runs, which included two maximums and nine boundaries. Following the first inning, Kohli disclosed that the renowned ‘Master Blaster’ had personally congratulated him on the momentous occasion.
Alright, sensation (pauses). The amazing man just gave me another congrats. It has the feel of a dream. Better than it seems. Big game for us, and I came to play the part so that the men around me could come and express themselves,” said Kohli in the interview that followed the mid-innings.
As I already stated, winning for my team is what matters most to me. This tournament, I’ve been given a role, and I’m attempting to play it well. Playing for the team and adapting to the situation is the secret to consistency. In the 50th century, it is unimaginably beautiful. He said, “Sachin paaji was present in the stands.
It’s really hard for me to put into words. He’s sitting there, my hero and my life mate. And here at the Wankhede, all these fans. Reaching 400 is incredible; Shreyas deserves a great deal of praise.
With a flurry [of boundaries], KL finished it off,” said Virat Kohli.
After an early vigil, Shreyas Iyer maintained his excellent form and strengthened Team India’s innings. The Mumbai-born batsman took control of the game and increased the stakes in the final ten overs after Kohli was removed. As a result, in the current ODI World Cup 2023, Iyer went on to smash his second consecutive century. The explosive batsman reached 105 runs in just 70 deliveries.
For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell’s century is in vain after captain Kane Williamson
Speaking about New Zealand now, bowler Tim Southee took three wickets in his allotted ten overs. But after giving up 100 runs, he found himself on the losing side of the numbers. Trent Boult, meanwhile, took one wicket for 86 runs. After the first power play, New Zealand made just 46 runs in their poor pursuit of the target. After Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell put on 181 runs for the second wicket, Mohammed Shami’s two vital wickets in an over turned the tide of play.
Mitchell put in a lot of effort to score 134 off 119 balls, but India triumphed by a margin of 70 runs. The top bowler was Mohammed Shami, who finished with 7/57 in 9.5 overs and enabled India to avenge their 2019 defeat and advance to the 2023 championship match.