ISLAMABAD: Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill’s solid contribution, supported by the record 50th century of Virat Kohli, took India to a huge total of 397 against New Zealand in the ICC first Semi-Final contest being played at Wankhede Stadium, India on Wednesday. After Kohli, Shreyas Iyer also smashed a brilliant hundred off 105 on 70 balls.
Earlier, after winning the toss, India decided to bat first on a flat pitch. Both the openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, took a flying start for the team with a run-rate of over 8 runs per over. Sharma was even more lethal and played a quick fire of 47 on 29 balls, including 4 fours and 4 sixes.
In the 9th over, Southee managed to get rid of Sharma when the total reached 71. Sharma was replaced by Virat Kohli, who, along with Shubman Gill, managed to take the innings ahead with the same face. The team completed the first 100 runs in the 13th over. Later, both completed their half-centuries and kept the Kiwis bowling line under pressure. Reaching 79 of just 65 balls, Gill left the crease as retired hurt and was replaced by Shreyas Iyer.
Meanwhile, Kohli was eyeing his 50th hundred to break the record of the great Sachin Tendulkar with 49 centuries. In the 37th over, when India reached 267, Shreyas Iyer completed his half-century. Meanwhile, Kohli approached his hundred. In the 42nd over when Kohli pushed the ball towards the long leg for a double, jumped in the air to celebrate the historic achievement, and completed his 50th hundred to become the first batter. He also broke the record of Sachin Tendulkar of the 49th century. Tendulkar also applauded him from the stands after achieving the landmark.
In the 44th over the tiring, New Zealand managed to dismiss Kohli on 117 when the total reached 327. However, on the other hand, Shreyas Iyer showed his class and completed his brilliant century. His hundred included 8 sixes and 4 boundaries. He was dismissed by Boult on 105 in the 49th over. After Iyer, Shubman Gill came back for the play and remained unbeaten on 80. K.L. Rahul also added some crucial runs (39) at the end. India scored 397 for the loss of 4 in 50 overs.
From New Zealand, Tim Southee took 3 wickets while Trend Boult got 1 wicket.
India Team: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj
New Zealand Team: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
