Not Semi-Final But ‘Shami’ Final; Fans React Crazily After Mohd. Shami’s 7-Wicket Haul Vs NZ

The Indian cricket team continued with the winning streak in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023 as Rohit Sharma-led squad defeated New Zealand in the first semi-final by 70 runs; the match was played yesterday at Wankhede stadium, Mumbai.

After winning the toss, India decided to bat first and the Indian batters were in full flow as they posted a total of 397/4 on the score board in their 50 overs. The skipper Rohit Sharma gave a smashing start as he scored 47 runs in 29 balls and his innings included 4 fours and the same number of sixes as well. While Shubman Gill played a superb knock of 80* runs (66 balls, 8 fours & 3 sixes), Virat Kohli scored his 50^th century (117 runs, 113 balls, 9 fours & 2 sixes) and Shreyas Iyer also played a destructive knock of 105 runs (70 balls, 4 fours & 8 sixes). KL Rahul finished the Indian innings with style as he played a useful knock of 39 runs for which he played only 20 balls and smashed 5 fours & 2 sixes.

In response, Black Caps had a decent start but when the openers were looking a little settled, Mohammed Shami struck in style as he dismissed both the Kiwi openers – Devon Conway (13 runs, 15 balls, 3 fours) and Rachin Ravindra (13 runs, 22 balls, 3 fours). The New Zealand innings got off-track for some time but New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (69 runs, 73 balls, 8 fours & 1 six) and Daryl Mitchell (134 runs, 119 balls, 9 fours & 7 sixes) not only stabilized the innings but they also ensured that  the required run-rate did not increase too much. When all the other Indian bowlers (pacers and spinners) failed in making a breakthrough, Mohammed Shami was once again brought in attack and he did what his team needed. Shami dismissed both the batters who were looking dangerous and gave a sense of relief to Indian fans.

After that, Mohammed Shami dismissed 3 more batters and he ended the match which the career best figure of 7-57. Not just this, he has also become the fastest to take 50 wickets in the World Cup tournaments as he did that in just 17 innings. Shami (23 wickets in 6 matches) also broke the record of taking the most wickets in single edition of the World Cup by an Indian bowler as he surpassed the record of 21 wickets by Zaheer Khan.

Social media was flooded with reactions in regard to fantastic performance of Mohammed Shami who was adjudged as the Player of the Match; here are some selected reactions:

https://twitter.com/bhadrauli/status/1724842633648803985

Someone correctly said, it was not semi-final, it was Shami-final!!