Win Projections to be updated soon
In a thrilling semi-final clash at Wankhede, India’s captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged being under pressure but credited the team’s calm approach in crunch situations for their triumphant victory over New Zealand by 70 runs. With this win, India advances to the final of the ODI World Cup 2023, set to face either South Africa or Australia in the summit clash in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Dominant Batting Display Sets the Stage
Opting to bat first, India posted an imposing total of 397/4 in 50 overs, fueled by Virat Kohli’s 50th ODI hundred (117) and Shreyas Iyer’s second consecutive World Cup century (105). Rohit Sharma‘s quickfire 47 and Shubman Gill‘s unbeaten 80, along with a late blitz from KL Rahul, contributed to India’s commanding total.
Rohit Sharma praised the team’s batting performance, highlighting the fearless approach of Shubman Gill and the milestones achieved by Kohli and Iyer.
Nervy Moments and Calm Leadership
As New Zealand mounted a challenge with an 181-run partnership between Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, India showed signs of nerves with dropped catches and fielding lapses. However, Rohit Sharma’s calm leadership proved pivotal in steering the team through the pressure.
“When the scoring rate is above 9, you gotta take chances. They gave us chances, we didn’t take them. Mitchell and Williamson batted brilliantly. We had to stay calm. The crowd went silent, that’s the nature of the game. We knew we had to pull something from our sleeves,” said Sharma after the game.
Shami’s Brilliance and Team Effort
Acknowledging the brilliance of Mohammed Shami, who secured a historic 7-wicket haul, Sharma commended the bowlers for their upfront performance, emphasizing the importance of staying true to the team’s template.
“The way our bowlers bowled upfront, they picked wickets. Today, I wouldn’t say there was no pressure. Guys were doing the job. We wanted to do what we’ve been doing in the first nine games. Things came off really nice,” he added.
Looking Ahead to the Final
With India now set for the final showdown, Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, especially praising Shreyas Iyer’s contributions in the tournament. As they gear up for the final, Sharma emphasized the importance of sticking to their batting template and maintaining the high standards set throughout the World Cup.
Rohit Sharma’s calm leadership, combined with stellar performances from the batting and bowling units, has propelled India into the ODI World Cup final, setting the stage for an epic clash as they vie for championship glory.
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