New Zealand captain Kane Williamson graciously acknowledged his team’s 70-run loss to India in the first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final, emphasizing India’s dominance in both batting and bowling. The formidable Indian batting lineup, led by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, amassed 397/4, putting the New Zealand bowlers on the defensive.
Despite a valiant effort by Daryl Mitchell, who scored a century, New Zealand’s resistance crumbled under India’s potent bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami. Williamson commended India, labeling them as the best team globally and praising their consistent exceptional performance throughout the tournament.
Reflecting on Mitchell’s outstanding contribution, Williamson highlighted his phenomenal skills and competitive spirit, recognizing the player’s pivotal role in giving New Zealand a fighting chance. Both Williamson and Mitchell, along with other experienced Kiwi players, are nearing the twilight of their Cricket World Cup careers.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by the team, Williamson refrained from declaring the end of an era, emphasizing the ongoing effort to improve and push boundaries as a team. He expressed gratitude for the contributions of experienced players and conveyed optimism about the team’s future, hoping to continue nurturing new talents.
Although New Zealand fell short in this World Cup, Williamson sees value in the seven weeks spent growing as a team. The focus now shifts to regrouping for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the following year, where the experienced squad aims to launch another major-tournament challenge.
Looking ahead, India, led by Rohit Sharma, advances to the final against either South Africa or Australia. Despite the challenges faced by New Zealand in the match, Williamson commended his team’s resilience and effort, expressing pride in their journey and acknowledging that success didn’t materialize on this particular day.
