India’s thrilling victory over New Zealand in the semi-final of the World Cup 2023 left the dressing room filled with emotions. After the hard-fought win at the Wankhede Stadium, the Indian team celebrated their success with heartfelt gestures and warm embraces.
In a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), head coach Rahul Dravid could be seen smiling as he met each player individually. He shared a special moment with Kuldeep Yadav and Shubman Gill, embracing them in celebration of their achievement.
Batting coach Vikram Rathour shared a warm embrace with star batter Virat Kohli, making the moment even more special as Kohli had just broken Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI centuries with a brilliant knock of 117.
Mohammed Shami, who played a pivotal role in dismantling New Zealand’s batting lineup, shared a heartfelt moment with Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin showed his appreciation for Shami’s outstanding performance by shaking his hand and then kissing it. The gesture spoke volumes about the camaraderie and respect within the team.
Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey couldn’t contain his laughter after hearing Shami’s response, “jawab deke aya hu mai” (I have come back with an answer). It was a moment of pure joy and celebration after a hard-fought victory.
To add to the celebrations, Yuzvendra Chahal visited the dressing room and warmly embraced Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ishan Kishan. Kohli took the opportunity to exchange a few words with his former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate.
Reflecting on the match itself, India chose to bat first and posted a formidable total of 397/4 in their 50 overs. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a solid start with a 71-run opening partnership. New Zealand tried to stage a comeback with a partnership between Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, but Shami’s exceptional seven-wicket haul crushed their hopes. India ultimately secured a convincing 70-run victory.
India’s opponent in the final is yet to be determined, as South Africa and Australia face off in the second semi-final at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The anticipation for the final is high, and Indian fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome.
(Note: This article has been rewritten for clarity and brevity. The original article can be found at the source mentioned at the end.)
