Cricket World Cup 2023: India’s road to the semi-finals

India were the first team to confirm their spot in the semi-finals after beating Sri Lanka in their 7th match.

Indian Cricket Team (Image via ESPN)

The Indian Team have had a dream World Cup run so far. They’ve played 9 matches and won all of them, dominating each and every match. They were also the first team to qualify for the semi-finals, after winning their 7th match.

They are set to face New Zealand on the 15th of November in the Wankhede Stadium. The last match between the two teams was won by India, where they beat the Kiwis by 4 wickets. In the last semi-finals the two teams played against each other, the Kiwis won a thrilling match that resulted in many Indian heartbreaks.

Rohit Sharma and his men started their World Cup campaign with a win over Australia in Chennai, despite losing their top order in the powerplay. Most matches India played were one-sided, with India not breaking a sweat. They will hope to continue this form in the semi-final as well.

The team has had one of the best bowling attacks in the tournament, with their batters also proving to be a threat. Virat Kohli is currently the highest run-getter in the World Cup, with 594 runs. Jasprit Bumrah is India’s highest wicket taker with 17 wickets. Mohammed Shami has just one wicket less, despite missing out on the first three matches. India has not conceded more than 300 runs even once as well.

India’s road to the semi-finals

Sr. no	Opponent	Date	Venue	Result
1	Australia	October 8	Chennai	Win
2	Afghanistan	October 11	Delhi	Win
3	Pakistan	October 14	Ahmedabad	Win
4	Bangladesh	October 19	Pune	Win
5	New Zealand	October 22	Dharamshala	Win
6	England	October 29	Lucknow	Win
7	Sri Lanka	November 2	Mumbai	Win
8	South Africa	November 5	Kolkata	Win
9	Netherlands	November 12	Bangalore	Win

Indian Team has had an incredible run in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup (Image via ESPN)

India vs Australia (India win by 6 wickets)

India started their World Cup with a very nervy win. An excellent bowling performance got the Aussies bundled out for only 199, but the start to their chase was hindered thanks to Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc running riot. India lost 3 out of their top 4 for ducks, but Virat Kohli and KL Rahul protected their wicket and led India to victory

India vs Afghanistan (India win by 8 wickets)

Choosing to bat first Afghanistan scored 274 on a flat batting pitch, with Jaspirt Bumrah taking 4 wickets. While chasing, Rohit Sharma’s explosive century, Ishan Kishan’s 47 and Kohli’s half-century ensured India’s win.

India vs Pakistan (India win by 7 wickets)

Arguably the second biggest fixture of the tournament, India faced off against Pakistan. Electing to bowl first, India looked in a bit of a tough spot as Pakistan were 155-2 in the 29th over. After Mohammed Siraj dismissed Babar Azam, a huge batting collapse ensued where Pakistan lost 8 wickets in a span of 36 runs. India comfortably chased the target, with Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer scoring half centuries.

India vs Bangladesh (India win by 7 wickets)

Bangladesh batted first and had a great start, with both openers scoring half-centuries. Unfortunately Hardik Pandya had injured his ankle, ruling him out of the tournament. Bangladesh put up a score of 256 runs, which was once again a cakewalk for India. They chased down the score with almost 8 overs to spare. Kohli also scored his 48th ODI century.

India vs New Zealand (India win by 4 wickets)

India were facing New Zealand, who were so far unbeaten in the tournament. Electing to bat first, the Kiwis put up a score of 273. Daryle Mitchell scored a century, while Mohammed Shami picked up a five wicket haul. While chasing, Virat Kohli once again came close to a century, but missed by 5 runs. India ended up chasing down the target with ease yet again.

India vs England (India win by 100 runs)

Facing the defending champions, India scored their lowest 1st innings score of the tournament with 229 runs, but that was no problem as India bowled out England for only 129 runs. Shami and Bumrah picked up a combined 7 wickets as India won by 100 runs.

India vs Sri Lanka (India win by 302 runs)

India once again recreated the 2023 Asia Cup finals as they bowled out Sri Lanka in the 2nd innings for just 55 runs. India posted a massive score of 357 runs in the 1st innings, with Shubman Gill, Kohli and Iyer scoring half centuries. A fine five wicket haul by Shami and Mohammed Siraj made sure India won by 302 runs.

India vs South Africa (India win by 243 runs)

Facing one of the best teams so far in the tournament, many fans expected the clash between India and South Africa to be a blockbuster, but it was yet again an easy win for India. Batting first, India posted 326 runs. Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI century and Iyer’s 77 ensured a good total on a tough pitch. The Indian bowlers once again ran riot as the Proteas were bowled out for 83 runs. Ravindra Jadeja picked up a fifer, while every other bowler contributed.

India vs Netherlands (India win by 160)

For India’s final group stage fixture, India faced the Dutch in Bangalore. The top 5 batters scored 50+, with Iyer and KL scoring centuries. These batting performances got India to 410 runs. India bowled them out for 250 runs, with Kohli and Rohit picking up their first ODI wicket since 2014 and 2012 respectively.