After an emphatic win over New Zealand in the ODI World Cup semi-final, the Indian players looked in high spirits and raw emotions were captured when the stars of the show returned to the dressing room after completing the job on the field. In a three-minute-16-second video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Indian players appeared ecstatic and congratulated each other for securing the country's place in the World Cup final.
India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who is not part of the World Cup squad, met with the players inside the dressing room and congratulated them for their superb performance.
Watch the video here:
Coming back to the match, Virat Kohli etched his name in cricket history by scoring a record-breaking 50th ODI century, contributing significantly to India's triumph over New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final. This victory, marked by a margin of 70 runs, propelled India into the final of the tournament.
The match, held at the Wankhede Stadium, witnessed a spectacular batting display from the Indian side. Captain Rohit Sharma set the tone with an explosive 47 runs off 29 balls, while Kohli's masterful 117 runs off 113 balls and Shreyas Iyer's dynamic 105 runs off 70 balls further bolstered India's total. Shubman Gill also played a crucial role with a swift 80 not out off 66 balls, although he had to retire hurt due to cramps. These combined efforts led India to a formidable score of 397/4, following Rohit's strategic decision to bat first after winning the toss.
New Zealand, in response, managed to score 327 all out in 48.5 overs, largely due to a solid 181-run partnership between Kane Williamson, who scored 69 runs, and Daryl Mitchell with a remarkable 134-run knock. However, their efforts were overshadowed by Mohammed Shami's outstanding bowling, as he ended with figures of 7/57.
Rohit's initial assault on the New Zealand bowlers set a challenging pace for the match. His aggressive stroke play significantly impacted the game's early dynamics. Following Rohit's dismissal, Gill maintained the momentum with his range of shots. After Gill's exit due to cramps, Kohli and Iyer continued the formidable batting display, setting a steep target for New Zealand.
Kohli's innings was particularly historic as he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the first cricketer ever to score 50 centuries in ODI cricket, a milestone achievement that underscored his status as one of the game's greats. This semi-final victory, led by Kohli's landmark century and contributions from other key players, marked a significant step for India towards another World Cup title.
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