After a few failed attempts, India will be playing in the World Cup 2023 final. On November 15, India and New Zealand locked horns in the first semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. That was an excellent showdown. Both teams have met in the group stage and India snatched the victory from the Kiwis. That win boosted their confidence to the next level. In the 2019 World Cup semifinal, both teams met and the Kiwis hammered India with an 18-run win. All the players showed great character. India defeated New Zealand by 70 runs.
Virat’s 50th century:
It was a great display by the Indian batters. All of them gave their best. But Virat Kohli was exceptional as always. But in this match, his contribution was extra special. Against New Zealand, he completed his 50th century. That was a huge achievement. Along with that, he broke Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar scored 675 runs in 2003 World Cup edition but Kohli has already scored 711 runs. One match is remaining for India.
Kohli rose from the ashes. Two years ago, he was brutally criticized because of his poor form, not scoring centuries. People started commenting on his retirement plans. But he made an exceptional comeback in the T20 World Cup 2022 and scored a century. And after that, there was no look back. In this edition of the World Cup, he already scored three centuries.
Against New Zealand, he played an excellent innings of 117 runs in 113 balls, he smashed 9 boundaries and 1 over-boundary. He scored the century in front of Sachin Tendulkar, his idol. He celebrated this milestone with a victory jump. The whole Wankhede crowd went crazy at that moment. Scoring 50 centuries is not a small thing. But Virat Kohli loves to make the impossible, possible.
Navjot Singh Sidhu:
After the 50th ton, praises come all the way. From Sachin Tendulkar to Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag and many other. His innings deserve all the praise. But after that clinical innings, former Indian cricketer, Navjot Singh Sidhu also praised him. On his social media handle, he wrote, “ Having been witness to Indian cricket for the last five decades I am of the considered opinion that Virat Kohli is the greatest Indian batsman ever…thrives under pressure, most of his match-winning efforts chasing against odds – big occasion player!… adaptability to all formats of cricket home and abroad remarkable – Supreme fitness allows him to punch above his weights!
Further, he added, “ Distance from Earth to the sky is not a matter of altitude but attitude…his never-say-die spirit and mental fortitude make him the most charismatic role model to inspire kids worldwide!… today he stands tall in the World Cup like a Hercules flexing his muscles…”
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