Dharamsala - India's World Cup hosts secured a hard-fought victory over New Zealand, thanks to a remarkable performance by Virat Kohli, who made a masterful 95, and Mohammed Shami, who took 5-54 with the ball. Kohli, displaying his class, struck two sixes and eight fours, leading India to successfully chase down New Zealand's target of 274, securing a four-wicket win.
India, currently at the top of the table, remains the sole unbeaten team in the tournament after five matches. Fog briefly halted play during India's response, but Kohli's composure remained unwavering as he played a pivotal role in the highest successful one-day international chase at this venue. Kohli's tournament contributions continue to be remarkable, with 354 runs at an average of 118.
While Rohit Sharma's aggressive 46 off 40 balls provided a solid start for India, it was Kohli's calm and assurance that proved essential in pacing the chase, especially as three of India's top-order batsmen made starts without capitalizing. Kohli came agonizingly close to equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries but was dismissed when India needed just five runs for victory. Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 39 helped India seal the win with 12 balls to spare.
Earlier, New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra contributed significantly with a third-wicket partnership of 159, helping New Zealand recover from two early wickets. Mitchell reached his century in exactly 100 balls. However, both Mitchell and the New Zealand team were left regretting their inability to capitalize in the final 10 overs, resulting in a less commanding total than they might have hoped for.
The match, labeled by some as a World Cup final dress rehearsal, featured two undefeated teams, with India having previously struggled to beat New Zealand in ICC tournaments. However, the Kiwis couldn't overturn this trend, and the contest suggested a smooth path for India's journey to the tournament's semi-finals, especially with Kohli's consistent run-scoring.
Kohli's exceptional batting overshadowed the return of India's skillful bowlers, particularly Mohammed Shami, who had a notable impact in his first appearance of the tournament, underlining the depth of India's batting and bowling reserves. Shami's performance also elevated him to the status of India's third-highest wicket-taker at World Cups, with 36 victims and a second World Cup five-wicket haul.
India now faces selection dilemmas as they prepare for their next match against a struggling England team in Lucknow.