Kohli Hits 95 As India Beat New Zealand By 4 Wickets In World Cup

India beat New Zealand in World Cup 2023 (Image Source: Google)

Virat Kohli hit 95 to lead India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand and a fifth win in five matches at the World Cup on Sunday although the superstar batsman just missed equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 one-day international centuries.

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami returned figures of 5-54 to help bowl out New Zealand for 273, a total India overhauled with 12 balls to spare in Dharamsala.

The Kiwis, who rode on Daryl Mitchell's 130 to post 273, suffered their first loss in five matches and are second behind leaders India in the 10-team table.

An in-form Kohli, who hit 103 not out in the previous victory over Bangladesh, put on key partnerships including a 78-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja, who hit the winning four in his unbeaten 39.

Kohli fell to Matt Henry in an attempt for the glory shot which would have given him another century. 

He leads the tournament batting charts with 340 runs.

Skipper Rohit Sharma (46) and Shubman Gill (26) provided a strong start in a stand of 71 before fast bowler Lockie Ferguson struck in his first two overs to remove the openers.

Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, who made 33, attempted to rebuild and did a good job despite fog halting play for about 10 minutes.

Left-arm quick Trent Boult sent back Iyer in his second spell, coming around the wicket with a bouncer and having the batsman caught out in the deep.

Kohli and KL Rahul, who made 27, then ploughed on before left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner broke through and had Rahul trapped lbw.

Suryakumar Yadav was run out for two in his maiden World Cup appearance after a mix up with Kohli and New Zealand sensed a turnaround.

But Kohli kept his calm and along with the left-handed Jadeja saw the team home.

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