🔥 India’s unstoppable streak in the World Cup continues! They clinched a thrilling victory against New Zealand by four wickets in Dharamsala on Sunday, marking their fifth consecutive win in as many matches. This phenomenal performance catapulted them to the top spot on the ten-team points table!
🌟 Virat Kohli led the charge in India’s pursuit of a challenging 274-run target, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. His sublime innings of 95 off 104 balls proved crucial. Throughout, Kohli crafted three fifty-plus partnerships: 52 with Shreyas Iyer, 54 with KL Rahul, and an impressive 78 with Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja’s unbeaten 39 off 44 balls further solidified the victory.
💥 Opening duo Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set the stage with an explosive 71-run partnership, primarily dealing in boundaries. However, Lockie Ferguson’s precision removed Rohit for a solid 46 off 40 balls, followed by Gill’s departure for 26 off 31.
🌫️ A brief interruption due to haze and low visibility occurred in the 16th over, but the action swiftly resumed after a short delay.
👏 Mohammed Shami’s brilliant five-wicket haul in his World Cup debut this season anchored India’s revival in the final 10 overs. New Zealand seemed poised to breach the 300-run mark, courtesy of Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra’s formidable 159-run stand, achieved in just 152 balls. While Mitchell’s explosive innings yielded 130 runs from 127 balls, New Zealand managed only 54 runs in the last 10 overs, losing six wickets in the process.
🔒 Rohit Sharma’s decision to field first paid off, as India stifled New Zealand in the initial 10 overs. However, Ravindra and Mitchell turned up the heat, taking full advantage of spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Kuldeep, who started strong, conceded 32 runs in his first three overs, a stark contrast to the initial 10 overs. In the same period, Mohammed Shami made a thunderous debut by dismissing Will Young with his very first ball.
🔄 With Hardik Pandya sidelined due to injury and Shardul Thakur absent from the squad, India found themselves short of a sixth seamer. Jadeja was compelled to bowl all 10 of his overs within the first 30, ultimately finishing with figures of 0/48. The partnership between Ravindra and Mitchell crossed the 150-run mark, with Bumrah’s dropped catch resulting in a boundary. The breakthrough finally came in the 34th over, as Shami dismissed Ravindra for an impressive 75 off 87 balls. Kuldeep then struck, sending New Zealand captain Tom Latham back to the pavilion. However, Mitchell persevered, ultimately achieving his fifth ODI century. The Indian bowlers regrouped, and New Zealand concluded their innings at 273 all out.
🏆🇮🇳 The clash was nothing short of a cricketing spectacle, showcasing the fierce competition and outstanding performances that define the ICC Cricket World Cup. India’s triumph in this high-stakes encounter will undoubtedly be etched in cricketing history! 🏏🔥 #CWC2023 #IndiaVsNewZealand #CricketFever
