Twitter erupts as chasemaster Virat Kohli guides India to a close win over New Zealand in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja added 78 runs for the 6th wicket to guide India to a memorable victory.

India’s chase master Virat Kohli has once again risen to the occasion in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Virat Kohli with a magnificent knock of 95 runs at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala helped India go past the finishing line against New Zealand. Team India needed 274 runs in 50 overs and they came out winning the game by 6 wickets and continued their winning streak in World Cup 2023. Team India also moved top of the table with 5 wins and 10 points. 

Social media was abuzz with India’s master of chasing totals Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli put a heavy price on his wicket to break the jinx of not winning any game against New Zealand in ICC events in the last 20 years. Team India had a decent start with their openers captain Rohit Sharma (46) and Shubman Gill (26) adding 71 runs for the first wicket. Virat took charge of the innings after Rohit perished and took India to the win. 

Here's how twitter reacted to India's brilliant win:

https://twitter.com/cheteshwar1/status/1716140029146448244

https://twitter.com/chopraanjum/status/1716139980404433404

https://twitter.com/robbieuthappa/status/1716138803830931961

https://twitter.com/ImRaina/status/1716135618403766308

https://twitter.com/VVSLaxman281/status/1716135309329719422

https://twitter.com/iamyusufpathan/status/1716135255071981670

https://twitter.com/anilkumble1074/status/1716134217535676838

https://twitter.com/mmbangwa/status/1716134156521082994

https://twitter.com/robbieuthappa/status/1716134482573750598

https://twitter.com/iamyusufpathan/status/1716134064347123778

https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/1716133542416265672

https://twitter.com/IrfanPathan/status/1716133343396589857

https://twitter.com/DineshKarthik/status/1716132887064711412

https://twitter.com/IrfanPathan/status/1716132961421336636

https://twitter.com/JayShah/status/1716137594776682643

https://twitter.com/rajasthanroyals/status/1716136917887246393

https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/1716136610608435640

https://twitter.com/ImRaina/status/1716135618403766308

https://twitter.com/robbieuthappa/status/1716134482573750598

https://twitter.com/iamyusufpathan/status/1716134064347123778

https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/1716133542416265672

India had control in their 274 chase

Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first in Dharamsala. Batting first, New Zealand had a troubled start as both of their opening batter Devon Conway (0) and Will Young (17) departed early in the innings. Mohammed Shami made a roaring comeback and dismissed Will Young in his first. After the two wickets, Kiwis made a comeback with their 3rd wicket partnership of 159 runs between Rachin Ravindra (75) and Daryl Mitchell (130). 

Daryl Mitchell scored his 5th ODI century in the game but as he was approaching the hundred he slowed down a bit and Kiwis lost the momentum. Later on, Mohammed Shami picked up a 5-wicket haul on his return to the World Cup. Shami picked up 3 quick wickets to restrict the Kiwis to just 273 runs. Team India looked in control of their chase and they planned accordingly. Suryakumar Yadav’s mix-up that resulted in a run-out was the only point India looked under pressure. 

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (39) held one end along with Virat Kohli when India required 83 runs and they were 5 wickets down. Jadeja played a great anchor role in the partnership and took India to a win. Rohit Sharma started the innings in his usual style and smashed 4 fours and 4 sixes in his stay of 46 runs. Team India will be playing against England at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on 29th October while NZ will face Australia next in Dharamsala on 28th October.