India continued their winning run in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 by breaking their knockouts hoodoo against New Zealand. The Men in Blue defeated New Zealand by 70 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to reach the final of World Cup 2023.
India broke their jinx against the Kiwis by beating them for the first time in knockout encounters in ODI World Cups. With this win, India reached the final of the ODI World Cup for the fourth time in their history.
Rohit Sharma's men topped the league stage, winning nine out of nine matches. Their win against New Zealand in the semi-finals took India's winning run to 10 in ODI World Cups, their second-longest winning streak in the competition's history.
India posted 397 for 4 in the first innings on the back of centuries from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. Kohli scripted history by breaking the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record to become the only batter to hit 50 hundreds in ODI cricket.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill got India off to a flying start with the India skipper scoring a 29-ball 47 before being dismissed by Tim Southee. Gill scored an unbeaten 80 off 66 balls, which included him walking off the field after being retired hurt, only to come back on the field following Iyer's dismissal.
Iyer smashed a 70-ball 105 while forming a crucial 163-run stand with Kohli to help India post a mammoth total in the first innings. KL Rahul chipped in with a blazing 39 off 20 balls as India posted a 398-run target for New Zealand to chase.
Mohammed Shami provided the hosts with two quick wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway to leave the Kiwis reeling at 39 for 2. But Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson stitched a 181-run stand which saw both batters score half-centuries.
Mitchell went on to hit his second ODI World Cup hundred as he pushed the game to the wire. Glenn Phillips chipped in 41 runs while Philips scored 134 runs but couldn't guide New Zealand to the win as they fell short by 70 runs.
India will now await the winner of South Africa's clash with 5-time champions Australia in the second semi-final in Kolkata. The final is scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19.
(With inputs from agencies)