Mohammed Shami‘s seven-wicket haul and Virat Kohli‘s report fiftieth ODI century have been the highlights as India secured a 70-wicket win over New Zealand within the semifinals of the Cricket World Cup at Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.

“I have played a lot of cricket here, any score on this ground, you cannot relax. Got to get the job done quickly and stay at it. We knew there would be pressure on us. We were very calm, even though we were a bit sloppy on the field. These things are bound to happen (the partnership between Mitchell and Kane) but glad we could get the job done,” stated Rohit within the post-match presentation.

“It is hard to say if we would have been in trouble [had India scored 30-40 less]. They would not have taken those risks. Williamson and Mitchell batted brilliantly. Was important for us to stay calm. The crowd went silent, but we knew we needed a catch or run out. Shami was brilliant. The form all the guys are in, top five-six batters, whenever they have gotten an opportunity, they have made it count. Very pleased to see what Iyer has done for us this tournament. Gill, the way he has batted for us has been brilliant. Unfortunately, he had to go off with cramps.”

“Kohli did what he does, also got to his landmark century as well. England game we got 230 on the board, way bowlers bowled with the new ball was amazing. Today obviously being the semifinal, would not say there was no pressure, whenever you play there is pressure. Semifinal adds a bit extra, we wanted to not think too much about it, just do what we’ve been doing like in the first nine games. Things came off for us nicely in the second half,” he concluded.

Earlier within the day, India opted to bat first and scored 397/4 of their 50 overs. Skipper Rohit Sharma (47 in 29 balls, with 4 boundaries and 4 sixes) and Shubman Gill (80 in 66 balls, with eight fours and three sixes) delivered a nice begin with a 71-run opening stand.

Virat Kohli (117 in 113 balls, 9 fours, and two sixes) posted his fiftieth ODI ton, whereas Shreyas Iyer (105 in 70 balls, with 4 boundaries and eight sixes) scored his second-successive WC century, serving to India publish an enormous rating. KL Rahul additionally delivered a 20-ball cameo of 39 runs, with 5 fours and two sixes.

Tim Southee (3/100) was the choose of the bowlers for the Kiwis. Trent Boult (1/86) additionally bought a wicket.

In the chase of 398, Kiwis misplaced two early wickets. But an 181-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell (134 in 119 balls, with 9 fours and 6 sixes) and skipper Kane Williamson (69 in 73 balls, with eight centuries and a six) stored Kiwis alive and Indian bowlers sweating for solutions. Glenn Phillips additionally performed a helpful knock of 41. However, a two-wicket over by Shami modified the sport and Men in Blue bowled exceptionally within the loss of life overs to limit NZ to 327 in 48.5 overs.

Besides Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj bought a wicket every.

Shami was adjudged because the ‘Player of the Match’ for his dream spell.

With ANI inputs