Brief scores: New Zealand 273 all out in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 130, Rachin Ravindra 75; Mohammed Shami 5-54, Kuldeep Yadav 2-73) vsIndia
As Per Cricbuzz report, The World Cup 2023 encounter between IND vs NZ in Dharamsala was nothing short of cricketing drama. Daryl Mitchell’s career-best 130 and a remarkable 159-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra (75) helped New Zealand post a total of 273. However, India fought back valiantly, thanks to Mohammed Shami’s exceptional bowling performance, where he claimed five crucial wickets.
IND vs NZ: A Precarious Start for New Zealand
The match began with early strikes from the Indian pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami during an excellent PowerPlay. New Zealand found themselves in trouble after being asked to bat first. Devon Conway fell without scoring, attempting to flick a full ball on the pads, only to be caught brilliantly by Shreyas Iyer at square leg.
Shami followed it up with a wicket off his very first ball in the tournament, dismissing Will Young by inducing an inside edge onto his stumps. At the end of the Powerplay, New Zealand had managed to scrape together only 34 runs for the loss of two wickets, making it the third lowest score in this World Cup’s Powerplay phase. They were somewhat aided by a generous offering of wides from Siraj in the 10th over.
Mitchell and Ravindra’s Resilience
Daryl Mitchell then stepped up, joining forces with Rachin Ravindra to stabilize the New Zealand innings. Ravindra, in particular, had his share of luck. He survived multiple close calls, with DRS reviews and dropped catches. Ravindra was advised to review an LBW decision early in his innings, which turned out to be a smart move as the decision was overturned. He was also given a reprieve when a regulation catch at backward point was spilled. Despite these escapes, Ravindra managed to compile a vital half-century, and he eventually reached his hundred, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s innings.
Mitchell’s Heroics
Daryl Mitchell, on the other hand, took the attack to the Indian spinners. He didn’t allow Kuldeep Yadav to settle in, depositing two deliveries straight down the ground for boundaries. Mitchell’s aggressive approach in the middle-overs resulted in his second half-century of the World Cup, which he converted into a run-a-ball century by the 41st over. He, too, had his moments of fortune, with KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah dropping challenging catches.
Shami’s Five-Wicket Haul
Just when it seemed like New Zealand was poised for a substantial total, Mohammed Shami intervened. He finally broke the resilient partnership between Mitchell and Ravindra by dismissing the latter. Kuldeep Yadav also made a comeback and got the vital wicket of Tom Latham, albeit after a review. Following this, India went through a phase where they did not concede a single boundary to New Zealand’s power-hitters.
Glenn Phillips briefly lifted the shackles with a six behind square, but his innings was cut short by a top-edge off Mohammed Siraj. Bumrah then claimed his first wicket with a well-judged catch by Virat Kohli, dismissing Mark Chapman for just six runs. In the dying stages of the match, Mohammed Shami added three more wickets to his tally. He executed a couple of perfect yorkers, dismantling the stumps of Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry in successive deliveries during the 48th over. Mitchell managed to send one last delivery over the sightscreen for a six but was dismissed on the very next ball, granting Shami a well-deserved five-wicket haul
The match was a roller-coaster ride, with both teams displaying moments of brilliance. Daryl Mitchell’s exceptional century and Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul were the standout performances of the game. The encounter in Dharamsala provided cricket fans with a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the sport.