Kohli hits 95 as India stay perfect at CWC

DHARAMSALA, India (AP):

Virat Kohli hit 95 as India chased down its target of 274 to beat New Zealand in a match between the only two unbeaten teams at the Cricket World Cup (CWC) yesterday.

Tournament hosts India won by four wickets after reaching their target with 12 balls left in Dharamsala, finishing on 274 for six.

New Zealand were dismissed for 273 in 50 overs.

Kohli came close to tying the record for most One-day International (ODI) hundreds, held by countryman Sachin Tendulkar with 49.

Kohli went for a six to get the record – and clinch the victory – but was caught near the boundary. He now has 69 ODI half-centuries.

It was India’s fifth straight win to open the tournament, and they top the table. New Zealand are second after their first loss.

Pacer Mohammed Shami’s splendid return of 5-54 in 10 overs undid the Black Caps’ innings and restricted them to a sub-300 score despite Daryl Mitchell scoring 130 off 127 balls, including nine fours and five sixes. Mitchell put on 159 runs off 152 balls for the third wicket with Rachin Ravindra, who contributed 75 runs.

Shami triggered New Zealand’s collapse as they lost six wickets for 68 runs in the last 13 overs.

“I got a lot more confident after picking up a wicket off the first ball,” said Shami, who was playing his first game at this World Cup. “I waited for my chance – it is important to support your teammates when they are picked and doing well.”

Kohli’s vital 78-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (39 not out) sealed the win for two-time champions India.

Rohit Sharma had called correctly as India won the toss and opted to bowl.

New Zealand lost Devon Conway for a nine-ball duck. He was out caught at square leg off Mohammed Siraj in the fourth over.

It made for a slow start for the Black Caps, and they were down to 19-2 in 8.1 overs. Man-of-the-match Shami bowled Will Young for 17.

Mitchell then joined Ravindra at the crease, and the duo added 100 off 97 balls.

Both batsmen enjoyed lives – Jadeja had dropped Ravindra on 12 runs off Shami in the 11th over. It was a rare miss for Jadeja, usually an exceptional fielder.

New Zealand pegged back India across the middle overs before Shami provided the breakthrough in the 34th over.

Ravindra was out caught at long on, and Yadav trapped Tom Latham leg before wicket for five. After 37 overs, New Zealand were 205 for four.

Mitchell brought up his first World Cup hundred – and fifth overall – off 100 balls. He held one end together as India fought back.

Yadav struck again, this time removing Glenn Phillips for 23. Mark Chapman holed out off Jasprit Bumrah for six.

Shami bowled Mitchell Santner (1) and Matt Henry (0) off successive balls as New Zealand collapsed to 260-8.

Mitchell was out caught in the final over as Shami picked up his second World Cup five-for after 5-69 against England in 2019.

In reply, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill (26) added 71 off 67 balls for the first wicket, with Sharma smacking four sixes in his 40-ball 46. He had been dropped in the third over at slip off Trent Boult (1-60).

Lockie Ferguson sent them both back in successive overs – Sharma chopped a wide delivery on to his stumps, while Gill was caught at third man.

India went from 71-0 to 76-2 in 14 deliveries as Kohli took centre stage. He strung together important partnerships and rebuilt the innings.