Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

PHOTOS: Shami, Kohli shine as India down NZ to go top

Last updated on: October 23, 2023 10:13 IST

Virat Kohli masterminded India's chase as he scored 95 before India won by four wickets

IMAGE: Virat Kohli masterminded India's chase as he scored 95 before India won by four wickets. Photograph: BCCI/X

Virat Kohli's crafty 95 trumped Daryl Mitchell's rapid 130 as hosts India beat New Zealand by four wickets in a top-of-the-table clash in the 50-overs World Cup on Sunday.

Kohli could not complete the chase but was instrumental again as India reached a victory target of 274 with two overs to spare to maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament.

Ravindra Jadeja

IMAGE: Ravindra Jadeja (39 not out) guided his side home in 48 overs. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Their fifth successive win put the twice champions at the top of the table followed by 2019 runners-up New Zealand who tasted their first defeat at this year's tournament.

Mitchell smashed a rapid hundred but New Zealand did not get the late flourish and were all out for 273 in exactly 50 overs.

Mitchell forged a 159-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra (75) before the Indian bowlers applied the brake.

India's Mohammed Shami celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Will Young

IMAGE: India's Mohammed Shami celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Will Young. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Mohammed Shami led India's spirited bowling effort, claiming 5-54 in his first match of the tournament which earned him player-of-the-match award.

Skipper Rohit Sharma (46) led India's rollicking start but it was Kohli's fourth 50-plus score in five innings that helped to inflict on New Zealand their first defeat of the tournament.

"Good start to the tournament but our job is half done," Rohit said of India's perfect start to the campaign.

"At one stage, New Zealand put up a big partnership there... we have to give credit to the bowlers in the back end."

Daryl Mitchell celebrates after completing his maiden World Cup century. He is only the second New Zealand batter to hit a century against India in the ODI World Cup after Glenn Turner in 1975 

IMAGE: Daryl Mitchell celebrates after completing his maiden World Cup century. He is only the second New Zealand batter to hit a century against India in the ODI World Cup after Glenn Turner in 1975. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Electing to field, India dominated the powerplay segment, reducing New Zealand to 34-2, but subsequently dropped three catches to let their opponents off the hook.

Ravindra's was an eventful knock as he survived two lbw reviews and even had a caught-behind decision against him overturned.

Jasprit Bumrah

IMAGE: Jasprit Bumrah dropped Daryl Mitchell on 69. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

A genuine reprieve came when Ravindra Jadeja, a safe catcher otherwise, dropped a sitter at backward point.

Mitchell also had his share of good fortune.

The match was briefly interrupted by fog.

IMAGE: The match was briefly interrupted by fog. Photograph: BCCI/X

KL Rahul dropped him behind the stumps when on 59 and later Jasprit Bumrah floored a regulation catch in the deep.

Once Shami had dismissed Ravindra, New Zealand, cruising at 205-3 in the 37th over, collapsed in a heap, managing 54 runs in the last 10 overs and losing six wickets.

Suryakumar Yadav

IMAGE: Suryakumar Yadav expresses frustration after getting run out for just 2 runs. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Rohit gave India a flying start, smacking four sixes in his effortless knock, as the hosts raced to 71 for no loss in 10 overs.

Lockie Ferguson broke the stand with a wide delivery which Rohit dragged on to his stumps. In his next over, Ferguson cut short Shubman Gill's promising knock of 26.

Rohit Sharma

IMAGE: Rohit Sharma (46) played the power game and gave India the perfect start. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

India reached 100-2 in the 15th over when heavy fog caused low visibility, forcing the players off the pitch for a while. After play resumed, Trent Boult bounced out Shreyas Iyer (33) and New Zealand dragged themselves back into the contest with the wickets of KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav.

Kohli and Jadeja, who made 39 not out, then combined in a crucial stand to set up India's victory. Sensing a second successive century, Kohli refused a single but holed out in the very next ball with India on the verge of victory.

"Towards the back 10 overs, we didn't quite capitalise on the position we were in but credit for India for how they bowled," New Zealand captain Tom Latham said.

"We probably left a few out there."

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.