Virat Kohli produced a record 50th ODI century, and India cruised to a 70-run victory against New Zealand to advance to the World Cup final on Sunday. And we’re finally here at the Cricket World Cup Semi-Finals! Read on to catch the rundown of India vs New Zealand, and while you’re at it, get a wide selection of top cricket betting sites and cricket odds before it’s too late!
Quick Recap: India vs New Zealand
During India’s 397-4, Kohli scored 117 runs off 107 balls, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds. He also surpassed Tendulkar’s record of 710 runs scored in a single World Cup.
Shreyas Iyer’s 105 runs off 70 balls for India set a new record for the highest score in a Cricket World Cup knockout game, but New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson’s partnership of 181 from 39-2 gave them hope of surpassing it.
Rohit Kicks Things Off Fast
Since India won the 50-over World Cup 12 years ago with a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, they have had a dismal record in knockout games at global ICC championships, winning just two of eight. Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain and Simon Doull, among others, had speculated that this was due to timid cricketing on the part of the Indian team, but at Wankhede Stadium, Rohit Sharma’s leadership inspired confidence.
After being put into bat by Tim Southee (3-100), the captain raced to 47 off just 9 overs, hitting four sixes and as many fours. He was eventually caught wonderfully by a backpedaling Williamson at long-off with the score at 71.
After Rohit’s dismissal, Kohli came to the crease. He survived a lbw review on zero thanks to an inside edge, and he and Shubman Gill put on 93 runs. After Gill retired hurt on 79 due to suspected cramps, Kohli and Shreyas added 163 runs off 128 balls before the fall of the fourth wicket.
Kohli Making History
While batting in his 279th ODI innings, Kohli breezed to his 72nd half-century and converted it into a century.
Shreyas played the more swashbuckling knock, hitting eight sixes as he achieved successive hundreds (he also produced an unbeaten 128 against the Netherlands on Sunday) and reached fifty for the fourth game in a row. India scored 110 runs in Southee’s final over to set New Zealand an imposing mark. KL Rahul contributed 39 not out off 20 balls, including a six and two fours.
Shami Sizzles
Mitchell and Williamson put up a huge third-wicket stand for New Zealand, and it looked like it was going to end on 147 in the 29th over until Shami dropped Williamson off Bumrah.
Even though Mitchell and Phillips provided their side a slight sniff — Phillips nailing Mohammed Siraj’s 41st over for 20 — it wasn’t going to be for the Black Caps. Shami made amends four overs later, disregarding Williamson a single delivery after Mitchell secured an 85-ball ton, and then eliminating Latham for a two-ball duck.
Ravindra Jadeja devoured 3 late catches, particularly the one at deep midwicket that struck Mitchell, while Shami concluded the game by scoring two strikes in the 49th over as India triumphed at a stroll.
Player of the Match: Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami, an Indian fast bowler, shone once again by taking seven wickets, which he used to derail the New Zealand batting and break several important partnerships. While the openers were getting comfortable, Rohit Sharma opted to switch bowlers, bringing in star pacer Mohammed Shami, who promptly got rid of Devon Conway with his very first delivery.
Rachin Ravindra was dismissed by Mohammed Shami while New Zealand was still reeling from the wicket. India advanced to the World Cup final thanks to Shami’s seven-wicket performance, which included the final victim, Lockie Ferguson.
Score: India v New Zealand
| India | 397/4 | 50 overs |
| New Zealand | 327 | 48.5 overs |
| India won by 70 runs | ||
The home team won all ten of its games and will face either South Africa or Australia in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad. They last won the World Cup in 2011.
Mitchell’s knock, which included a 107-meter six, went in futile as New Zealand was unable to reach the final for the third straight year. In 2015, the Black Caps fell to Australia in the final, and in 2019, they were defeated by England on boundary countback.
The second semi-final will take place at Eden Gardens Kolkata on, with the Proteas hoping to advance to their maiden final and the Aussies trying to win their eighth title. On Sunday, the Cricket World Cup Final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Don’t miss out on the top cricket betting sites, best odds, and amazing offers at TopCricketBetting!