In a nail-biting World Cup 2023 semifinal at Wankhede Stadium, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson expressed disappointment after his team suffered a 70-run defeat to India but commended the Rohit Sharma-led side for their outstanding cricket throughout the tournament.
Commendation for India’s Outstanding Cricket
In the post-match presentation ceremony, Kane Williamson acknowledged India‘s exceptional performance, stating, “Yeah, firstly, congratulations to India. They have played outstanding cricket throughout the tournament, and perhaps they played their best game tonight. A top side at the top of their game.”
While expressing disappointment at going out of the tournament, Williamson praised his team’s effort, particularly in the face of the daunting challenge of chasing 398 runs. “It’s disappointing to go out, but super proud of the effort that’s gone in for the last seven weeks. The guys have been playing well in this competition,” remarked the New Zealand skipper.
Challenges Faced Against India’s Batting Unit
Reflecting on the difficulty of bowling at India’s world-class batting unit, Williamson said, “Yeah… I mean, look, the efforts were there. But India have a world-class batting unit, and they have been brilliant. It was tough to bowl at those batters, who didn’t give us a sniff, really.”
Despite the near-miss and challenges faced, Williamson highlighted the positive contributions of various players in the New Zealand team. “Some incredible contributions for us throughout. Overall, we have plenty of guys raising their hands up. As a team, there was a real commitment to the cricket we wanted to play.”
Acknowledgement of Steps in the Right Direction
In conclusion, Kane Williamson thanked the fans and acknowledged the steps forward taken by the team, saying, “Even if it didn’t go our way, ultimately, moving forward as a team, we’ve taken some really good steps in the right direction. Thank You, cheers.”
While New Zealand faces the heartbreak of falling short in another World Cup, Kane Williamson’s acknowledgement of India’s brilliance and the team’s overall commitment signals optimism for the future of New Zealand cricket.
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