By: Amit kumaR Agarwal
- Quite interestingly, the top bowlers - Matt Henry and Varun Chakravarthy - both ended with similar figures: 5/42.
India stormed into the semi-finals of Champions Trophy on a high. After posting a moderate total of 249, they set a target of 250 for New Zealand to win the last league game. New Zealand started the chase well, but regular wickets kept NZ in check; with the fall of Kane Williamson, the match was sealed in India's favor.
India's start was tepid, with the top-3 batsmen falling for 30-runs - India lost Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after being put in to bat. It was a rare single-figure score for Shubman Gill, he fell to a brilliant Matt Henry in the third over. Kohli was sent packing in his 300th ODI, failing to impress. If we discount the Pakistan innings - Kohli is having a tough time with the bat.
Indian innings was then driven by the intent of the middle-order batsmen - Shreyas Iyer's half-century, valuable chip-ins from others and Hardik Pandya late charge that took India to a modest total of 249 in 50 overs; setting New Zealand a target of 250 for win.
Matt Henry got a five-wicket haul returning figures of 5/42.
New Zealand got off to a decent start, but regular wickets dented its chase - and once spin was introduced NZ batters never really looked settled in. Kane Williamson was pretty much the only batter who could withstand the Indian spinners after the first 10 overs.
The former New Zealand captain built his half-century in 77 balls, but once he was out on 81; the game was practically over with India's win just a formality.
India will play Australia in the semis on March 4; while New Zealand will take on South Africa in the second semi-final on March 5.