'Will be Cherished for Generations to Come': PM Narendra Modi Lauds Mohammed Shami's Seven-wicket Haul Against New Zealand

Team India marched into the final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 with a 70-run triumph over New Zealand in the semi-final of the 50-over showpiece on Wednesday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

India put up a total of 397 and managed to wrap up the Kiwis for 327 thanks to Mohammed Shami’s incredible spell of 7 for 57 in his 9.5 overs. The pacer became the quickest to claim 50 World Cup wickets in the process and also climbed to the top of the CWC 2023 Golden Ball rankings with 23 dismissals this campaign.

The match-winning spell earned the 33-year-old high praise from the Prime Minister of the nation, Shri Narendra Modi, and legends of the game such as Sachin Tendulkar.

PM Modi shared an update that read, “Today’s Semi-Final has been even more special thanks to stellar individual performances too. The bowling by @MdShami11 in this game and also through the World Cup will be cherished by cricket lovers for generations to come. Well played Shami!”

Legendary batsman Tendulkar posted, “What a Shami-final!!!!!! Well done India for a superb batting display and a spectacular bowling performance to get into the final.”

Earlier in the day tons from Virat Kohli, who brought up his 50th ODI century to surpass Tendulakar’s record of 49 tons in the 50-over format, and Shreyas Iyer’s second ton on the trot helped India to the massive total.

Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts. 

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave the men in blue a good start as Rohit made a quick 47 off 29 deliveries, while Gill put up 80 runs off his willow. Kohli and Iyer took over in the middle overs, while KL Rahul chipped in with an unbeaten 39-run innings.

The Kiwis put up a fight thanks to Daryll Mitchell’s 137 off 119 balls, but Shami’s seven-wicket haul, the best figures for an Indian at the World Cup helped India seal a place in the final of the home WC.