The Indian cricket team continued with their winning streak in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023 as they defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets in their fifth match which was played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala.
Both the teams, India and New Zealand had won their four out of four matches before this match but now the Indian side is the only team which hasn’t lost a match in the WC2023. This match was also special because it is after 20 years that India has defeated New Zealand in the World Cup, last time India defeated New Zealand in the World Cup was in 2003.
The toss was won by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and he chose to bowl first. Though India stuck early as both the openers got out early but Rachin Ravindra (75 runs) and Daryl Mitchell (130 runs) kept the scoreboard ticking and gave the other batters a much needed platform for making a big score but after they both got out, no other batter was able to show resistance against Indian bowling and the whole team got out for 273 runs in 50 overs.
Mohammed Shami dismissed 5 batters and made things problematic for the Kiwis and he was awarded with Player of the Match award for his superb performance.
India started well with skipper Rohit Sharma (46 runs) and Shubman Gill (26 runs) giving a decent start and then it was Virat Kohli who kept the momentum going on and made important partnership with Shreyas Iyer (33 runs), KL Rahul (27 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (39 runs).
Virat Kohli missed his century by 5 runs but he ensured that India went home as winners.
Twitter was flooded with reactions after India’s win:
What a game it was!!!