ICC Men’s CWC: India storm into final
Sports Reporter :
India stormed into the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) defeating New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai of India on Wednesday.
Electing to bat first, India piled up a mammoth total of 397 for the loss of four wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then all out New Zealand for 327 off 48.5 overs.
India made a formidable start with two openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put on together 71 runs in the opening stand before Rohit was caught at the mid-off by Kane Williamson off Tim Southee. Rohit hit a stormy 47. His 29-ball innings was belted with four sixes and four fours.
Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli contributed together 93 runs before Gill left the field as he was injured when India’s total was 164.
After Gill left the field, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer scoring together 163 runs in the second wicket stand before Kohli was caught at the deep square leg by Devon Conway off Tim Southee when India’s score was 327 for the loss of two wickets.
Kohli cracked a superb 117. His 113-ball knock was belted with nine fours and two sixes.
It is Kohli’s 50th One Day International (ODI) century. He is now the batter in ODI cricket who hit the highest ODI century. Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar hit 49 ODI centuries. By virtue of yesterday’s century, Kohli crossed the Tendulkar’s record.
After Kohli’s dismissal, Iyer and KL Rahul added 54 runs for the third wicket partnership before Iyer was caught at the long-on by Daryl Mitchell off Trent Boult when India’s total was 381 for the loss of three wickets.
Iyer notched up a terrific 105. His stormy 70-ball innings was decorated with eight sixes and four fours.
KL Rahul remained unbeaten with 39. He hit five fours and two sixes in his 20-ball innings.
Suryakumar Yadav (1) was dismissed by Tim Southee when India’s score was 382 for the loss of four wickets.
Shubman Gill returned to the pitch but he could add just one run to his total. Gill remained unbeaten with 80 runs. He struck three sixes and eight fours in his 66-ball innings.
Tim Southee captured three wickets in the space of 100 runs.
Later, Mohammed Shami played the key role in wrecking the Kiwis’ innings bagging seven wickets for 57 runs.
New Zealand lost their early two wickets for 39 runs.
One-down Williamson and second-down Daryl Mitchell added together 181 runs for the third wicket partnership before Williamson was caught at the deep square leg by Suryakumar off Mohammed Shami when the Kiwis’ total was 220 for the loss of three wickets. Mitchell fought back hitting 134 runs. He hit seven sixes and nine fours in his 119-ball innings.
Williamson hit a notable 69. His 73-ball innings was decorated with eight fours and a sixer.
Third-down Tom Latham (0) could stay at the crease for a short period as he was trapped leg before wicket by Mohammed Shami when India’s score was 220 for the loss of four wickets.
