- By Ankit Bisht
- Thu, 16 Nov 2023 03:57 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
After excelling the league stage with a cent percent win record, India overpowered New Zealand in the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal on Wednesday to end the Kiwis' curse in the knockout stage of the ICC event. Hosts India booked their spot for the title clash at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19.
The winner of the second semifinal between South Africa and Australia will play invincible Rohit Sharma-led in the title battle. Men in Blue are on a 10-match unbeaten streak and will look to make it 11 by lifting the title for the third time.
India's road to World Cup 2023 Final
India had a smooth ride to reach their fourth finale clash in the pinnacle event. India opened their campaign with a win against five-time champions Australia after coming from behind in Chennai. In their second match against neighbours Afghanistan, the hosts thumped them by eight wickets in Delhi.
In the most awaited encounter of the tournament, India crushed Pakistan by seven wickets with 117 balls to spare in Ahmedabad. Team India dubbed the same script against Bangladesh to continue their winning momentum in the tournament.
In the league stage clash against New Zealand, India faced resistance from the Kiwis in Dharamsala but in the end, secured a four-wicket victory to maintain their five-match winning streak.
India's last three games against England, South Africa and the Netherlands were like cakewalks for the home side. India registered resounding triumphs in all three matches to claim the top spot in the standings with 18 points.
India vs New Zealand ODI World Cup 2023 Semifinal
In the first knockout match of the tournament, India's intimidating batting order burst at its peak to post the highest-ever total in the knockout match of the quadrennial event. Virat Kohli's (117) historic 50th ODI ton, backed with Shreyas Iyer's (105 off 70 balls) blistering hundred powered India to 397/4 in 50 overs.
In response, Daryl Mitchell's 134 went in vain as Mohammed Shami picked 7-57 to take India to the summit clash.
What is working for India?
Everything. From batting to bowling to each tactical move, everything is favouring them. Rohit Sharma's captaincy is yielding results with players raising their hands to take responsibility when any situation arises.
Firing batting order
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli - the best of three worlds. Rohit is an attacking power-hitter and spontaneous in his approach in the powerplay while his young partner is the sweet timer of the ball, who rotates strikes well when he is not smashing fours and sixes.
On the other hand, Kohli has only one way of playing - middling the ball and rotating the strike and playing the anchor knock. He is the highest run-getter with 711 runs including three centuries and five half-centuries. Rohit is fifth on the list with 550 runs followed by Shreyas Iyer's 526. KL Rahul is the fourth-highest run-getter for India with 386 runs.
Apart from their batting performances, each player is clear about their specific role in the side which makes them class apart in the mega tournament.
Lethal bowling attack
'If Bumrah won’t get you, Siraj will, if Siraj doesn’t then Shami will', Wasim Akram had said on India's pace bowling attack after India's thumping win over South Africa by 243 runs at Eden Gardens. the statement rightly sums up the prowess of the Men in Blue's bowling fire-power. With 23 scalps in six matches, Shami is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
Jasprit Bumrah is the second-highest wicket-taker for India with 18 wickets followed by spinners Ravindra Jadeja (16 wickets) and Kuldeep Yadav (15 wickets).
The pacers pick early wickets for India while spinners curb the run rate and force opponents to play wrong shots to pick wickets. The trick is working so far for the team despite being restricted to just five bowling options after Hardik Pandya's ankle injury.