The first World Cup semi-final was expected to be India’s acid test as it was against their bogey side New Zealand, who always found ways to beat them at ICC events.
But this time India were up for the test and they managed to get past a struggling New Zealand team to reach the final.
There was a brilliant performance from Rohit Shama, who gave India a rousing start to set the template for one over.
Shubman Gill’s half-century ensured that India did not drop the tempo after Rohit’s dismissal, and then Virat Kohli’s 50th ODI century continued the edge.
Mohammed Shami’s seven on a flat wicket and, of course, Shreyas Iyer’s whirlwind century ensured India had enough in the bank.
All the shows from India are great but I will single out two as the most special.
The reason I chose both Iyer and Shami is because of the context of the game. Firstly, the way Iyer attacked all the New Zealand bowlers and ensured that India posted a total that was enough to break New Zealand’s fightback.
Iyer scored 105 off 70 balls with 8 sixes and 4 fours at a strike rate of 150 as India nearly reached 400 runs.
I was there at the stadium and everyone knows the ball swings at night in Wankhede. It did but Bumrah and Siraj did not get early wickets as expected.
Rohit had to challenge Shami again and he returned with his best tally, taking wickets at will.
The margin of victory may seem huge but trust me it was a very close game.
If not for Iyer and Shami’s superb efforts, the Kiwis could have pulled off an upset at Wankhede.
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