Virat Kohli on Sunday hit 95 to lead India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand and a fifth win in five matches at the World Cup, although the superstar batsman just missed equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 one-day international centuries.
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami returned figures of 5-54 to help bowl out New Zealand for 273, a total India overhauled with 12 balls to spare in Dharamsala.
The Kiwis, who rode on Daryl Mitchell’s 130 to post 273, suffered their first loss in five matches and are second behind leaders India in the 10-team table.
Photo: AP
India, who lost to New Zealand in the semi-final of the 2019 edition, ended a 20-year wait for a win against the Kiwis in an ICC event after they last beat them in the 2003 World Cup.
An in-form Kohli, who hit 103 not out in the previous victory over Bangladesh, put on key partnerships including a 78-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja, who hit the winning four in his unbeaten 39.
“He [Kohli] has done this for us so many years. He backed himself to do the job,” India captain Rohit Sharma said of his star batsman after the win. “Kohli and Jadeja pulled us back when we lost a few wickets in the middle.”
Photo: AFP
Kohli fell to Matt Henry in an attempt for the glory shot, which would have given him another century. He leads the tournament batting charts with 340 runs.
India were 100-2 in 15.4 overs when a thick layer of Himalayan fog descended on the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium from the nearby snow-capped peaks, causing the umpires to call for a stoppage that lasted about 10 minutes.
Mitchell called the fog “a wonderful thing.”
“It was strange, wasn’t it? I have experienced it before in first class cricket in Karori Park in Wellington when the fog came in,” he said. “So yeah, this game continues to provide wonderful things, doesn’t it? It was an amazing experience, that’s for sure.”
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