ICC Men's Cricket World Cup: India retain supremacy beating NZ

Sports Reporter :
India retained their supremacy in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup defeating New Zealand by four wickets in their fifth match at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday.

Chasing New Zealand’s total of 273 off 50 overs, India sailed home making 274 for the loss of six wickets remaining with 12 balls.India collected maximum 10 points from five matches, while New Zealand bagged eight
points from as many matches.

India had a solid start with two openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added together 71 runs before Rohit Sharma was bowled out by Lockie Ferguson.

Rohit scored 46 from 40 deliveries including four fours and four sixes.
After Rohit’s departure, Shubman Gill could not stay at the crease for a long period as he (26) was caught at the deep third man by Daryl Mitchell off Ferguson when India’s total was 76 for the loss of two wickets.

One-down Virat Kohli and second-down Shreyas Iyer repaired the damage contributing together 52 runs in the third wicket stand before Iyer (33) was caught at the deep square leg by Devon Conway off Trent Boult when India’s score was 128 for the loss of three wickets.

After Iyer’s departure, Kohli and KL Rahul added together 54 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Rahul (27) was trapped leg before wicket by Mitchell Santner when India’s total was 182 for the loss of four wickets.

Later, Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja contributing together 78 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Kohli was caught at the midwicket by Phillips off Matt Henry when India’s total was 269 for the loss of six wickets.

Kohli was a victim of nervous ninety. He hit a terrific 95. His 104-ball knock saw eight fours and two sixes.

Ravindra Jadeja 39 (not out) and Mohammed Sami 1 (not out) guided their team to victory target.

Ferguson was his team’s most successful bowler with two wickets for 63 runs. New Zealand lost their early two wickets for 19 runs.

One-down Rachin Ravindra and second-down Daryl Mitchell built a worthy partnership scoring together 159 runs in the third stand before Ravindra was caught at the long-off by Shubman Gill off Mohammed Sami when the Kiwis total was 178 for the loss of three wickets.

Ravindra hit an entertaining 75. His 87-ball innings had six fours and a sixer.

Daryl and Glenn Phillips made another notable partnership putting together 38 runs in the five-wicket stand before Phillips (23) was caught at the cover by Rohit Sharma off Kuldeep Yadav when the Black Caps’ score was 243 for the loss of five wickets.

After dismissal of Phillips, New Zealand batters failed to make any notable partnership.

Daryl notched up a gritty 130. He hit five sixes and nine fours in his 127-ball innings before he was caught at the deep midwicket by Virat Kohli off Mohammed Sami when New Zealand’s total was 273 for the loss of nine wickets.

Pacer Mohammed Sami played the key role to mop up the New Zealand innings. He captured five wickets in the space of 54 runs. He was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Kuldeep Yadav gave him a good support bagging two wickets instead of 73 runs.
Jaspreet Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj took one wicket each for 45 runs each.