Team India secured a spot in the final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 by defeating New Zealand with a 70-run margin in the semi-final held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday. India posted a formidable total of 397 runs and successfully restricted the Kiwis to 327, courtesy of an exceptional performance by Mohammed Shami, who took 7 wickets for 57 runs in 9.5 overs. Shami’s outstanding bowling not only propelled him to the fastest 50 World Cup wickets but also elevated him to the top of the CWC 2023 Golden Ball rankings with a total of 23 dismissals in the tournament. The Prime Minister of the nation, Shri Narendra Modi, and cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar lauded the 33-year-old pacer for his match-winning spell.
Today’s Semi Final has been even more special thanks to stellar individual performances too.
The bowling by @MdShami11 in this game and also through the World Cup will be cherished by cricket lovers for generations to come.
Well played Shami!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 15, 2023
What a Shami-final!!!!!!
Well done India for a superb batting display and a spectacular bowling performance to get into the final. 😊😊😊#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/XtqZWQvcJT— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 15, 2023
Earlier today, Virat Kohli achieved his 50th ODI century, surpassing Tendulkar’s record of 49 tons in the 50-over format. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer secured his second consecutive century, contributing to India’s substantial total.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a solid opening for the Indian team, with Rohit contributing a swift 47 runs from 29 deliveries, and Gill showcasing an impressive performance with 80 runs. In the middle overs, Kohli and Iyer took charge, and KL Rahul added an unbeaten 39 runs to the innings. Despite Daryll Mitchell‘s resilient 137 off 119 balls, the New Zealand team faced a tough challenge. However, Mohammed Shami’s outstanding seven-wicket performance, marking the best figures by an Indian in the World Cup, secured India’s spot in the final of the tournament held on home soil.
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