Chase Master Virat Kohli was at his best once again as he helped India register its fifth consecutive victory in the ongoing World Cup. Facing New Zealand in Dharamshala, India were given a target of 274 runs to chase down. After an excellent start, India lost some momentum in the middle-phase of the match. However, Virat Kohli played another magical knock in the chase as he missed his well-deserved century by just 5 runs.
India opted to bowl first in Dharamshala
Earlier in the match, India won the toss and elected to bowl first. Batter Daryl Mitchell stroked a magnificent 130 and Rachin Ravindra continued his brilliant form with a brisk 75. For India, pacer Mohammad Shami picked up 5/54 in his 10 overs bringing the downfall of the New Zealand innings.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started off in style and added 71 runs for the opening wicket. Sharma added 46 in 40 deliveries with 4 fours and 4 sixes and chopped one Lockie Ferguson delivery back on the stumps.
Shubman departed in quick succession but it was the partnership of Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer that added 52 runs and stabilized the chase. Kohli also added 54 runs with KL Rahul for the next wicket and scored another half century in the chase.
Rahul departed after scoring 27 in 35 balls and World cup debutant Suryakumar Yadav sacrificed his wicket owing to a mixup in the middle between him and Kohli. Ravindra Jadeja then took the stage and finished the innings with the chasing king Kohli.
Kohli paced his innings to perfection and was looking good for another ton when the team’s requirement of 5 runs was equivalent to his requirement for the 49th ODI ton. He lobbed one catch in the deep while trying to launch one Matt Henry delivery but Jadeja finished things off with a boundary in the same over as India went to the win with 13 balls to spare.
Here are some reactions on Kohli’s knock:
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