Mumbai, Nov 15: Opting to bat first, hosts India set a challenging 398 target for New Zealand in the first Semi-final of the ICC ODI Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 at Wankhede Stadium, here on Wednesday.
India scored 397/4 in the allotted 50 overs. It was a combined batting effort by Team India, with Virat Kohli (117) and Shreyas (105) Iyer scoring centuries.
The day was special for Virat Kohli, who scored his 50th ODI hundred and went past Sachin Tendulkar's 49th ODI ton record at the Master Blaster's home turf.
Kohli also crossed Tendulkar's run-tally of 673 at the 2003 World Cup, the most in a single edition of the 50-over World Cup till date.
Tendulkar, who was at Wankhede Stadium, watching the semi battle, stood up and applauded Kohli's efforts.
Young flamboyant Shreyas Iyer continued his last innings form (against the Netherlands) and scored consecutive centuries in an ODI World Cup.
However, it was the opening partnership between Rohit Sharma (47) and Shubman Gill (79) that gave the hosts a good start to build their innings.
Skipper Rohit Sharma, who hit a quick fire 47 in 29 balls, with four boundaries and four huge sixes, was caught by Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson of right-arm pacer Tim Southee.
India lost their first wicket in 8.2 overs, with scorecard reflecting 71/1. When Rohit was dismissed, there was a sudden pin-drop silence in the packed Wankhede Stadium.
After the Rohit storm, it was up to young opener Shubman Gill and seasoned Kohli to steady Indian ship.
Virat Kohli not only anchored the Indian innings but also guided Gill first and then Iyer to score freely at the other end.
Gill after scoring 79 in 68 balls, returned to the pavilion retired hurt with cramps. Shreyas Iyer then joined Kohli in the middle.
Kohli was finally dismissed by veteran right-arm fast bowler Tim Southee, caught at deep square leg by Devon Conway. He scored 117 in 113 balls, hitting 9 boundaries and 2 sixes.
India lost their 2nd wicket at 327, after losing the first one at 71, when Rohit had departed.
Trying to accelerate Iyer (105 in 70 balls, with 4 boundaries and 8 sixes) and Surya Kumar Yadav (1 in 2 balls) departed.
Vice captain and dependable K L Rahul impressed again with a 20-ball 39 and proved his mettle at No 5.
For the Kiwis, Tim Southee (3/100) was the most successful bowler. Left-arm pacer Trent Boult (1/86) got the other Indian wicket that fell in a batting-friendly Wankhede track.
However, it was New Zealand left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who really halted India's middle overs rampage and pulled back the hosts with his superb second spell.
India XI:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (Wicket-keeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
New Zealand XI:
Kane Williamson (Captain), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (Wicket-keeper), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult.
