India vs New Zealand, 21st Match at Dharamsala, World Cup 2023, Oct 22 2023 - Match Result

10.31pm A clash of the table toppers, and it looks like India have finally buried the ghosts of playing NZ in a World Cup game. Plenty of positives for both sides today, some negatives as well for the two outfits. Lots of food for thought as the teams now have nearly a week before their next match. Thank you all for your company, on behalf of Karthik Krishnaswamy, Venkat Raghav and Thilak R, this is Sreshth Shah saying, goodnight!

10.25pm Time for the captains.

Rohit Sharma, India capt: "Good start to the tournament but job is half done. Shami took the opportunity with both hands. He's got class and so much experience and he used the conditions really well. At one stage NZ put up a big partnership there. Dew came in as well. But we have to give credits to the bowlers in the back end. Shubman and I compliment each other quite well in the middle. Couldn't get big enough runs ourselves but happy to win. Nothing much to say about Virat. We've seen him do this for so many years. He backs himself to do the job. Towards the end there was a bit of pressure with a few wickets lost, but Kohli and Jadeja took us home. Fielding is something we pride ourselves on. It wasn't as clinical as we'd like to. Couple of dropped catches but those guys are good, Jadeja is among the best in the game. We love travelling and playing in different parts of the country. So far we have not been disappointed and we have not disappointed the crowd as well"

Tom Latham, NZ stand-in capt: "We didn't capitalise in the last ten overs (with the bat). India bowled well in the death and we left a few runs out there. With the ball, we never got a double breakthrough. I don't think we capitalised, 30-40 short. Daryl and Rachin set us up well for the back ten. From a batting point of view, Ravindra and Daryll gave the perfect blueprint. That are positions we want to be in, and when we get things right at the back end, we are dangerous. Kohli played a fantastic innings. Controlled the tempo and the rest could bat around him. As a captain, you have to be proactive but also work to your plans. Think about match-ups. Virat has a response to most plans. The fog was very random - sometimes you get in random situations. Few days off, and next is a day game in about a week (against Australia).

Mohammed Shami is the Player of the Match for his 5-54. "When you come back after a long time to the XI it is important to get confidence early. That first game helped get that confidence," he says. "Its not too hard (waiting by the sidelines) if your team is doing well. They are your teammates and if they are doing well then you should be supporting them. If its in the team's interest, I'm okay with it. The wickets are important because we were top 2 teams of the World Cup were playing."

Ravi: "I wish Indian team keeps Shami even after Hardik returns. He is gem of a bowler."

Shrajit : "Jadeja couldn't finish the game back in Manchester four years back. It's only fair that he hit the winning runs today. Poetic justice of sorts."

10.15pm Daryl Mitchell's 127-ball 130 will be a mere footnote in this game as the runners-up of WC 2015 and 2019 lose their first game of 2023. They're now 4-1 in the WC but have three difficult games coming up: Australia (28th Oct), South Africa (Nov 1) and Pakistan (Nov 4). India have England in Lucknow next on Oct 29.

10.10pm A hard-fought win for India, courtesy a Virat Kohli 95, Rohit Sharma 46 and a few useful contributions from Iyer, Rahul and Jadeja. For Jadeja hitting the winning runs, the game completes a full circle. Remember his drop of Ravindra early on that allowed NZ to pile on a big third-wicket stand.

Also apt that Shami was there not out, considering his five-wicket haul helped India restrict NZ in the death overs. India were somewhat tested with one less batting option today, but the utility of a full-time fast bowler in Shami might've eased the batting with the eventual target that NZ put up.

Taran: "Glad Kohli didn't take another ball after refusing the single and went for six or out."

Here's Shami at No. 8. Batting in Shardul's position. The NZ seniors are aving a chat. Boult and Henry with some conversations, with Santner and Latham listening in

Naveen: "That was the most loud cheer for a forward defense!!"

India need 7. Kohli needs 7. Rohit can no longer sit. He's standing. Crowd going "Kohli, Kohli"

People in the crowd telling Jadeja to defend.

Sens: "Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?"

Four overs to go. Henry has 2, Boult has 1, Ferguson has 2, Ravindra has another. For now, Boult to bowl out.

Dilum: "After 45 overs NZ: 245/5 IND:248/5"