ICC shares pictures of Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson hugging from 2019 and 2023 editions of World Cup

Team India finally broke their semi-final curse after defeating New Zealand in the knockout rounds of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. After a thrilling encounter, it was the Men in Blue who came out on top and managed to topple the Black Caps to make it to their fourth ODI World Cup 2023 final.

After the game, the ICC (International Cricket Council) took to social media to share pictures of the 2019 and 2023 World Cup semi-finals. In a similar style, both pictures featured Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson hugging it out after the game. It is worth noting that the 2019 World Cup ended in disappointment for India, but the side has managed to turn it around in 2023.

“2019 ➡2023, the result may have been different, but some things remain the same,” the ICC captioned the post.

Team India’s joint masterclass propelled them to the World Cup final

Talking of the semi-final clash between India and New Zealand, the game began with the Men in Blue coming in to bat first and putting in a magnificent performance with the bat. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opened the innings with scores of 47 and 79* runs (before getting retired hurt). After Rohit’s dismissal, and Gill being retired hurt, the responsibility fell onto Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s shoulders. 

Both batters completed their centuries as Kohli scored 117 runs in 113 deliveries with Iyer amassing 105 runs in 70 deliveries. By the end of the first innings, India posted a total of 397 runs on the board in the first innings and aiming to chase down the target, New Zealand put up quite a fight. 

After Mohammed Shami dismissed the openers early on, it was the knocks of Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell that posed problems for India. Williamson scored 69 runs in 73 deliveries, with Mitchell scoring 134 runs in 119 deliveries. However, the masterclass of Shami helped India win the game. 

The ace pacer took seven wickets and conceded 57 runs in 9.5 overs as India bundled out New Zealand for 327 runs, winning the game by 70 runs, and making it to their fourth ODI World Cup final.