Eventually the ghost of New Zealand also vanished from the minds of Indian fans. The fear of New Zealand will never haunt Indian fans in ICC events. Now those memories will be buried in history that in the 2019 World Cup, it was New Zealand that defeated India in the semi-finals. New Zealand defeated India in the final of the 2021 World Test Championship. This is because in the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup, India has made it to the finals by defeating New Zealand by 70 runs.
In the semi-final match, when India won the toss and batted first and added 397 runs on the scoreboard, it seemed that the match would be one-sided. But the Kiwis did not give up. Their batsmen troubled India. New Zealand’s batsmen gave a tough test to the Indian bowlers. Raised the heartbeats of Indian fans. New Zealand’s batsmen made two such partnerships which increased Rohit Sharma’s headache. Even during the match itself, it was discussed whether Team India was ‘missing’ Hardik Pandya today. But ultimately the Indian bowlers maintained their credibility and dominance and won over New Zealand. In this way the captain and fans of the Indian team heaved a sigh of relief.
Read more: How did India win the semi-finals and get the ticket for the final?
Shami’s brilliant bowling led to victory
Who would have thought that the day Virat Kohli would set such a big record in world cricket, the player of the match would be some other player? But this is the uncertainty of cricket. Shami’s brilliant bowling overshadowed Virat Kohli’s record-breaking century. The way the New Zealand team counterattacked, Shami’s bowling proved to be more important in the victory of the Indian team. Shami also took 5 wickets in the league match against New Zealand A. He was in a different mood in the semi-finals. First of all, he spoiled the start of New Zealand by giving two shocks. After this, the partnership of 250 runs between captain Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell was broken. He dismissed Kane Williamson in the middle overs.
This was the time when the New Zealand team had achieved the formula with which it should bat to achieve the big target. On the score of 220 runs, Shami made Tom Latham LBW on the very second ball. In the end there was danger from only one batsman. That was Daryl Mitchell, who was playing big shots even after getting ‘cramp’. Mitchell played an amazingly courageous innings. But before Glenn Maxwell Part-2 took place in this World Cup, Shami also showed him the way to the pavilion. After this, two lower order wickets also came in Shami’s account. In this way, Shami’s 7 wickets for 57 runs proved to be more useful in the innings of Virat Kohli, who broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries in ODI cricket and scored 50 centuries. It is an interesting coincidence that even in the league match against New Zealand, Shami had taken 5 wickets and became the man of the match.
Mohammad Siraj looked absolutely colorless
The semi-final was not Mohammed Siraj’s day. New Zealand’s batsmen scored a lot of runs in his overs. Siraj gave 78 runs in 9 overs. Apart from a few matches in this World Cup, Mohammad Siraj was not seen in his full form in any match but the situation had become serious against New Zealand. This was his worst performance in this World Cup. The biggest thing was that there was no thinking in Siraj’s bowling. He was using more force than necessary while trying to take the wicket. There were many occasions when he bowled contrary to the field that was set. In such a situation, it became easier for the batsmen to score runs.
Mohammad Siraj did not show the cleverness that bowlers show in line and length after understanding the mood of the pitch. New Zealand, with the mindset of achieving the target of 398 runs, had to ‘target’ one or the other Indian bowler and they chose Mohammad Siraj for that attack. Mohammad Siraj’s nervousness was clearly visible in this attack. In comparison to the rest of the matches in this entire World Cup, all the Indian bowlers proved to be relatively expensive in the semi-finals but Siraj stands at the forefront of this list.
It is important to remain positive before the final
Now on 19th, once again the heartbeats of crores of cricket fans will increase. Whether it is Australia or South Africa in the final, the competition will be tough. India has defeated both these teams in the league match. But both teams are dangerous. Both the teams have world class batsmen. After the charisma performed by Glenn Maxwell against Afghanistan, the enthusiasm of the Kangaroos is at a different ‘level’. The Indian team also has 3 days time before the final. Before the final battle, the same ‘positive mindset’ is needed on the basis of which the team has traveled till here.
As far as the bowlers give runs in the semi-finals, it has to be understood that the opposing team has also come here with the desire to win the World Cup. It also has world class players. He will also test the batsmen and bowlers of Team India. New Zealand’s batsmen put the bowlers to the same test in the semi-finals. But what matters is which team’s players controlled their emotions better in the knockout match and won. India has achieved this feat in the record book of 2023 World Cup. Goodbye New Zealand, you are out of the World Cup.
Read: The story of the hero who becomes a villain if he does not correct his mistake.
