The Indian team posted a mammoth total of 410 for 4 in the final league match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on 12th November 2023. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bat first.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill showed intent right from the word go putting pressure on Netherlands bowlers. Indian openers scored runs at will as they scored 91 for 0 in the first 10 overs and laid a strong foundation for a massive total.
Virat Kohli came to the crease with the scoreboard reading 100 on the board. He struggled initially against disciplined Netherlands bowling before putting pressure with some lovely shots against Bas De Leede and spinners. He looked well set keeping the momentum going for Team India.
Kohli completed his fifty off 53 deliveries including 5 boundaries and 1 six. He was bowled by Van der Merwe as the M Chinnaswamy Stadium crowd went into silence. With this half-century, Virat Kohli becomes the leading run scorer in the league stage going past Quinton de Kock. Kohli has scored so far 594 runs from 9 matches including 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries to his name with the best score of 103 not out against Bangladesh at MCA Stadium, Pune.
Virat Kohli Looked In Sublime Touch During The League Stage
Virat Kohli looked in sublime touch during the league stage of World Cup 2023. He started the tournament with a match-winning 85 against Australia at Chennai where India looked in deep trouble at 2 for 3. His partnership with KL Rahul helped India chase down the target of 200 runs with ease.
Kohli then scored an unbeaten 55 against Afghanistan at New Delhi and hit the winning runs. Chasing down 192 runs, Kohli failed to score many runs against arch-rivals Pakistan at Ahmedabad. He then produced a superb knock of 103 not out against Bangladesh that helped India register a 7-wicket win.
He then produced another superb innings with well made 95 against New Zealand at Dharmshala where India lost wickets in the middle overs. Kohli was not able to score many runs on a tough pitch at Lucknow against England.
Kohli showed his class with a brilliant 88 against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai laying a strong foundation for a big total. He scored 2nd century this tournament with unbeaten 101 against South Africa helping India post 326 for 5 in 50 overs.
Quinton de Kock has been in excellent form too for South Africa during this World Cup. He is currently 2nd in the leading run-scorer with 591 runs from 9 matches ( 9 innings) including 4 centuries with the best score of 174 against Bangladesh.
India will take on New Zealand in the first semi-finals on 15th November at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai while South Africa will face Australia in 2nd Semi-finals to be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 16th November. Both players would love to continue their superb form during the semi-finals against their respective opponents and help their country bring glory.
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