At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India defeated New Zealand by 70 runs to go to the World Cup 2023 final. India's victory against Kane Williamson's team in the semi-finals was their tenth consecutive victory in the current season, and it also contributed to their best winning run in ODI cricket.
In light of that, the following is a summary of all 10 matches and how India advanced to the 2023 World Cup final.
| Date | Match | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 8 | India v Australia | Chennai | 2 pm |
| October 11 | India v Afghanistan | New Delhi | 2 pm |
| October 14 | India v Pakistan | Ahmedabad | 2 pm |
| October 19 | India v Bangladesh | Pune | 2 pm |
| October 22 | India v New Zealand | Dharamsala | 2 pm |
| October 29 | India v England | Lucknow | 2 pm |
| November 2 | India v Sri Lanka | Mumbai | 2 pm |
| November 5 | India v South Africa | Kolkata | 2 pm |
| November 11 | India v Netherlands | Bengaluru | 2 pm |
| November 15 | India v New Zealand | Mumbai | 2 pm |
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Australia and India played their first game on October 8 in Chennai. Shubman Gill's absence from the match due to dengue gave India their first defeat of the tournament. The tone of India's campaign was established by the match between these two titans of cricket.
India won the toss and elected to bowl first, reducing Australia to only 199 runs in the opening half. In Chennai, India would have expected to easily chase 200 runs, but a top-order collapse placed them behind. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul patiently worked their magic together for the fourth wicket to get India out of danger.
Setting the standard for the remainder of the competition, Kohli scored 85 off 116. With his 97* from 115 balls, KL Rahul was declared the player of the match as India triumphed by a margin of six wickets.
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India played Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 11. Although it was anticipated that the match would be less difficult, Afghanistan turned out to be a tough opponent. Afghanistan sought to test India's batting after posting a respectable score of 272/8.
But skipper Rohit Sharma had other ideas, as he led India to their second tournament title with a devastating 131-run innings off only 84 balls. Virat Kohli, a local, amassed an undefeated 55 from 56 balls.
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On October 14, at Ahmedabad, there was a high-stakes match versus Pakistan, the archrivals. The strong rivalry and shared history between the two countries make this encounter more than simply a simple game. India, on the other hand, didn't waver from its goal. Babar Azam's team was bowled out for just 191 runs by the bowling squad, who put on an impressive show.
India won by seven wickets because of the explosive opening performance of captain Rohit Sharma, who struck 86 off 63 balls. Player of the match went to Jasprit Bumrah for his 7-1-19-2 performance.
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The Indian team's World Cup 2023 campaign had a pivotal occasion during the match against Bangladesh. Hardik Pandya had to leave the game with an ankle twist after tripping during the opening inning. That did not, however, deter India, who won handily despite needing 257 runs to win. With his maiden century of the competition, Kohli kept up his momentum.
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The Indian team made two significant changes for the New Zealand encounter. Shardul Thakur was benched for improved balance, and Mohammed Shami and Suryakumar Yadav entered the side following Hardik Pandya's injury.
India faced a difficult task in this game, but in the end, they were able to chase a 274-run mark in 48 overs. On his World Cup 2023 debut, Mohammed Shami claimed the player of the match title after taking five wickets for 54 runs.
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The October 29th match between India and England in Lucknow was an exhibition of pure domination. The bowling unit of India outmanoeuvred the English squad, despite their abundance of talented bowlers and potent hitters.
Even though they scored a subpar 229/9 in 50 overs, the Indian bowlers responded fiercely, dismissing the reigning champions for just 129 runs. Because of his 87 from 101 balls, Rohit Sharma was declared the player of the match.
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The November 2 match in Mumbai versus Sri Lanka served as evidence of India's dominance in the competition. The Lankan Lions presented a special challenge because of their unconventional style of play.
Nevertheless, India's intransigence was evident as they skillfully executed their tactics with the ball and easily dug into the Lankan trap. The palm was a blend of great fielding, disciplined bowling, and violent fury. India scored a thumping 357/8 overall and bowled Sri Lanka out for just 55 runs in 20 overs.
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On November 5, at Kolkata, India played their last round-robin match against South Africa. The Indian squad outplayed the Proteas, who had performed admirably throughout the competition. The Indian batsmen were adept at managing the pace attack, forming alliances and picking up speed as needed.
Due to Kohli's record-tying 49th ODI hundred, India's bowlers dismissed the Temba Bavuma side for just 83 runs after they had scored 326/5 in the first innings.
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India's last league game took place in Bengaluru on November 12 against the Netherlands. India was able to demonstrate their prowess in every area during this encounter. With two quick hundreds each from Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, India won the league stage of the competition for the seventh time in a row.
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In the semi-finals, India faced New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It was a high-stakes match, with India looking to break their knockout hex against the Kiwis. The Men in Blue rose to the occasion, putting up an astral performance with both club and ball. India posted a redoubtable aggregate of 397/4, thanks to collaborative trouble from the top order and explosive finishing from the lower middle order.
The bowlers, led by a fiery spell from Mohammed Shami, who took his career-stylish seven lattices in the game, helped India secure a 70-run lead. Throughout the World Cup, Virat Kohli's fur prowess was a significant factor in India's success. With 711 runs in 10 matches, including five fifties and three centuries, Kohli was the event's top run-arranger. His loftiest score of 117 runs was a masterclass in ODI fur, and his harmonious performances were the backbone of India's redoubtable summations.
As India prepares for the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, they carry with them the instigation of an undefeated run and the support of a billion expedients. Their palms in the World Cup 2023 haven't only entertained but also inspired, showcasing the spirit of justice in its purest form. The nation awaits with bated breath as India stands on the verge of adding another noble chapter to its rich cricketing history.
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