Match 21, India VS New Zealand Played at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India on 22 October, 2023
New Zealand 273 All Out in 50 Overs (Daryl Mitchell 130, Rachin Ravindra 75, Glen Philips 23, Mohammad Sami 5/54, Kuldeep Yadav 2/73)
India 274/6 in 48 Overs (Virat Kohli 95, Rohit Sharma 46, Ravindra Jadeja 39*, Shreyas Iyer 33, KL Rahul 27, Shubman Gill 26, Lockie Ferguson 2/63)
India won by 4 wickets with 12 Balls to Spare
Player of the Match: Mohammad Sami (5/54)
India had the last laugh in the high-octane hot contest of CWC 2023. After 21 matches India remains the only undefeated team of the 10 team’s tournament.
In a match where the fate swung like pendulum at times India finally won it easy by 4 wickets as the depth and quality of its bowling and batting proved superior. Batting first black caps overcoming early reverse put up a competitive 273 all out. Team India overcame the challenge scoring 274/6 in 48 overs.
The wicket was a little bit two paced. Balls were not coming easily at the bat. India appeared with two changes. Shreyas Iyer replaced injured Hardik Pandya and Mohammad Sami was brought into the team replacing Shardul Thakur. India appeared with only 5 front like bowlers in the contest. Winning the toss and electing to field India made early inroads into Black Caps camp removing Devon Conway (0) and Will Young (17) with only 19 runs on board. But Black caps fought back as Daryl Mitchell (130) and Rachin Ravindra fighting back to wall batted brilliantly putting up enterprising 159 third wicket partnership Mohammad Sami removed Rachin Ravindra. The pair collared Kuldeep Yadav and played Ravindra Jadeja with passion. Mitchell batted deep and his innings of 130 in 127 balls featured 9 exquisite fours and 5 explosive sixes. Rachin also blasted 6 fours and a six in his 87 balls 75. Apart from them only Glen Philips scoring 23 of 26 balls could make some contributions. Mohammad Sami bowling brilliantly took 5/54 and Jasprit Bumrah bowling tight as usual set the seize. 273 was not a huge score. But considering the nature of the contest and the wicket was competitive. However, black cap batsmen demonstrated how to counterattack Kuldeep Yadav (2/73) and Ravindra Jadeja (0/48) taking right initiatives. However, Sami bowling exceedingly well achieved the second 5 wickets haul. India dropped few catches, but ground fielding was excellent.
Under the flood light ball started coming a bit easy. Rohit Sharma started in brisk fashion striking 4 fours and 4 sixes in his brief but effective innings of 46 in 40 deliveries. His first wicket partnership with young Shubman Gill (26) produced useful 71 runs. Virat Kohli once again took charge. His top-quality innings of 95 in 104 deliveries put paid to black cap endeavor for winning the match. Few other batsmen Ravindra Jadeja (39*), Shreyas Iyer (33), KL Rahul (27) also made useful contribution. India won with ease by 4 wickets scaling the target scoring 274/6 with 12 balls to spare. Black caps required a performer like Mohammad Sami delivering for them. But India proved superior with better all-round performance.
The win put India firmly on the top of the table after 5 matches reassuring its berth for the semifinal. Black Caps will have to work out a winning formula against India if they meet the Asian giant somewhere in the business session once again.
BDST: 0705 HRS, OCT 23, 2023
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