Virat Kohli missed his second consecutive century narrowly but powered India to win over New Zealand after Mohammed Shami's fifer in the 21st match of Cricket World Cup 2023 at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday.
Kohli, who rescued India from a couple of tricky situations in the run chase, slammed 95 in India's four wicket win, which kept the men in blue unbeaten in the mega tournament.
After India lost two wickets in a quick succession after a solid start, Kohli, who went out in the middle after the fall of the first wicket, stitched a 52-run partnership with young Shreyas Iyer (33 off 29 balls) to smoothen India's yet another run chase in the ongoing World Cup.
Though New Zealand were charged up after India's scorecard turned into 192/5 following Suryakumar Yadav's run out, Kohli kept his cool and partnered allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, who hit the winning runs for India this evening.
Kohli, who was almost replicating the last match scenario where he both touched his hundred and finished the game with a six, was caught in the deep to much disappointment of the spectators.
Jadeja, who played a crucial knock towards the end and hit the match-winning boundary, remained unbeaten at 39 off 44 balls.
Shami takes five wickets
Mohammed Shami took five wickets as India bowled out New Zealand for 273 runs here on Sunday.
Riding on Daryl Mitchell's century, New Zealand put up a competitive score on the board. He hammered nine boundaries and five sixes in the knock.
Rachin Ravindra contributed 75 runs with the willow.
Shami showed brilliance with his ball and took five wickets to give New Zealand touch competition.
Siraj and Sami picked up the wickets of Devon Conway (0) and Will Young (17) early but Ravindra and Daryl brought back Kiwis in the game.