Match No 46, the first Semifinal of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup was played at Wankhede Stadium , Mumbai. Much anticipated and awaited. So many questions to answer, Can India continue its winning streak, Can India pay back to Newzealand the loss of 2019 or once again Newzealand will shattered the hope of 1.5 billion people across the globe.
Toss was crucial at this venue, as it is flat wicket and high scoring matches expected.First battle of toss was won by India. Indian captain decided to bat first and back upon the bowlers to seal the match.
Indian opener Rohit and Shubhman Gill started the innings. Rohit as usual playing as Hitman and scored quick 47,when he was caught at India’s total of 71 runs.Kohli joined the crease with Gill and went on adding runs when Shubhman Gill had cramp and was retired hurt at 152.
Shryes Iyer joined Kohli and both scored at a pace to take the score to 327 when Virat got out after scoring brilliant century. In process Virat Kohli scored his 50th one day century surpassing Sachin’s record 49. Virat is now at the top with 50 century and unbeaten.What a day to score his century in World Cup Semifinal. He was caught at 117 runs by Conway off T Southee .
KL Rahul joined and both Iyer and Rahul added 54 runs .S Iyer and went on scoring his second consecutive century of the tournament and got out at 105 runs in 70 balls.Surya couldn’t show his magic today.Gill came to bat after the fall of Surya and along with Rahul took the score to 397 with the loss of 5 wickets in allotted 50 overs. Rahul scored brisk 39 from 20 balls. Gill was not out on 80.
Newzealand bowler tried their best to ball well at Wankhede flat pitch and did pick up few wickets but it didn’t affect the scoring run rate of Indian batsman.T Southee picked up 3 Wickets giving 100 runs
Newzealand required 398 in 50 overs to play in the final of ICC world Cup. Newzealand started cautiously and didn’t give wicket to Siraj and Bumrah.Captain Rohit got Shami to ball 6th over and he picked up Conway .Shami picked up other opener Inform Ravindra in 8th over. Ken Williamson and D Mitchell steered the innings and both added 181runs together.It was Shami again who picked up Williamson whose catch was dropped by Shami only.M Shami picked up Latham in the same over and Newzealand were 220 for 4. Mitchell and Philips added 75 runs for the fifth wicket .G Philips was caught by Jadeja of Bumrah and it was over for Newzealand. Kuldeep and Siraj did pick up one wicket each but it was M Shami who came back and finished Newzealand in 49th over . M Shami had a figure of 7 wickets by just giving 57 runs in 9.5 over. Newzealand were all out for 327 runs. India won the Semifinal by 70 runs and will play final at Ahmedabad on 19th for third title.
