Shami picks a spectacular fifer to mark ODI comeback in top-of-the-table clash against New Zealand

In India’s comeback during the final 10 overs, Mohammed Shami displayed an impressive performance with a fifer in his first appearance in this World Cup. While Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra’s exceptional 159-run partnership, achieved in just 152 balls, had put New Zealand on track to potentially surpass the 300-run mark, the Kiwis could manage only 54 runs in the last 10 overs, losing six wickets in the process.

Initially, India had effectively contained New Zealand’s scoring rate in the first 10 overs. However, Mitchell and Ravindra turned the tables and put pressure on India’s bowlers in the pleasant surroundings of Dharamsala. The absence of a sixth seamer due to Hardik Pandya’s injury and Shardul Thakur’s exclusion was notably felt as the Kiwi batters took on spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Kuldeep, who conceded 32 runs in his first three overs, was a stark contrast to the disciplined performance of the Indian seamers in the early part of the innings. Mohammed Shami, in fact, dismissed Will Young with his very first ball in that initial period.

India had to utilize all of Jadeja’s overs within the first 30, with the spinner delivering a continuous spell of 10 overs and finishing with figures of 0/48. The partnership between Ravindra and Mitchell eventually exceeded the 150-run mark, with Bumrah dropping Mitchell at the boundary, and the ball racing over for four. India’s respite came in the 34th over when Shami removed Ravindra for 75 off 87 balls. Kuldeep later dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham, but Mitchell continued to anchor the innings and eventually reached his fifth ODI century. India then made a strong comeback, and New Zealand was eventually bowled out for 273.

Also read: Daryl Mitchell becomes 1st Kiwi to score a World Cup century against India in 48 years

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