World Cup 2023 | Shami's 7-Wicket Haul Takes India To The Final After Iyer, Kohli Centuries

Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer shared 163 runs together (AP)

Brief Scores: India: 397-4 (50 overs) [Virat Kohli: 117 (113), Shreyas Iyer: 105 (70); Tim Southee 3/100 (10), Trent Boult 1/86 (10)] defeated New Zealand: 327 all out (48.5 overs) [Daryl Mitchell: 134 (119), Kane Williamson: 69 (73); Mohammed Shami 7/57 (9.5), Kuldeep Yadav 1/55 (10)] by 70 runs.

Team India survived a major New Zealand scare to walk away with an emphatic win in the semifinal of the 2023 World Cup.

Kohli’s record ton, Iyer’s blinder take IND to 397

Indian captain Rohit Sharma pumped out 47 runs from just 29 balls inside the opening powerplay, and stitched a 71-run opening stand with Shubman Gill. Sharma’s dead-eyed tonking at the top allowed number three Virat Kohli to anchor the rest of the innings alongside Gill (80*) and Shreyas Iyer.

Moreover, the batting veteran shared 163 runs with Iyer in the middle-overs, where both cricketers ended up tonking majestic centuries from their end. Kohli’s innings also marked the 50th century of his ODI career, one which took him past Sachin Tendulkar for the all-time record of scoring most runs in a single World Cup edition. KL Rahul himself bludgeoned a 20-ball 39* in the death to catapult the Indian total to a colossal 397-4 from their 50 overs.

Senior New Zealand speedster Tim Southee claimed three wickets in the innings, including that of centurion Kohli and hosts captain Rohit Sharma. However, the fast bowler leaked 100 runs from his 10 overs, while his new-ball partner Trent Boult finished his spell at 1-86.

Shami’s seven-fer overpowers Mitchell in tight chase

In-form Indian speedster Mohammed Shami got the ball swinging at the top, claiming the wickets of both openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. New Zealand’s early setbacks at the hands of Shami was followed by a fighting resistance from captain Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, during which the latter of the two notched up a rebellious century.

Mitchell top-scored in the innings with a scintillating 134 from just 119 balls, however, lack of support from the other end following Williamson’s dismissal ensured his side fell 70 runs short of their target.

Shami himself claimed five more wickets in the innings to finish with 7-57 to secure India’s best-ever World Cup figures. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav also struck at crucial junctures as India stormed into the World Cup 2023 finals off the back of an unbeaten run.

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