India has made it to the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, after defeating New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semi-final at Mumbai. The Indian team has been unbeaten in the tournament so far, winning all nine of their group matches and showcasing their batting, bowling and fielding prowess. Here is a recap of India’s journey to the final, and what lies ahead for them.
Group Stage: Nine Wins Out of Nine
Match 1: India vs Australia
India faced Australia in the 5th match of the ICC Men’s One-Day International World Cup 2023 on October 8, 2023, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. India emerged victorious in this highly anticipated clash, defeating Australia by 6 wickets.
India’s victory was a testament to their all-round performance, with their batting, bowling, and fielding all contributing significantly to their success. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia struggled to find their rhythm, and were restricted to a total of 199 runs. Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the bowling hero for India, claiming 3 wickets for 28 runs.
In reply, India chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 201/4 in 41.2 overs. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli were the stars of the show for India, scoring 97 and 78 runs respectively. Their partnership of 123 runs put India in a commanding position, and they eventually cruised to victory.
Match 2: India vs Afghanistan
India and Afghanistan locked horns in the 9th match of the ICC Men’s One-Day International World Cup 2023 on October 11, 2023, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. India emerged victorious in this decisive encounter, defeating Afghanistan by 8 wickets with a whopping 90 balls remaining.
India’s dominance was evident from the start, as they won the toss and elected to field first. Afghanistan’s batsmen struggled to find their footing against India’s disciplined bowling attack, and were eventually restricted to a total of 272/8. Hashmatullah Shahidi was the top scorer for Afghanistan with 61 runs, but no other batsman could provide significant support.
In reply, India’s batting line-up showcased their class and composure. Rohit Sharma led the charge with a brilliant century, scoring 131 runs off just 84 balls. His innings was punctuated by powerful drives, effortless pulls, and nonchalant swats, leaving the Afghan bowlers helpless. Virat Kohli provided valuable support, scoring an unbeaten 55 runs, and together they steered India to a comfortable victory.
Match 3: India vs Pakistan
India emerged victorious in a thrilling high-scoring encounter, defeating Pakistan by 7 wickets with 19.3 overs to spare.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, setting a challenging target of 191 runs. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan provided Pakistan with a solid start, putting on a 50-run partnership. However, India’s bowlers clawed back into the match, taking regular wickets and restricting Pakistan to a total of 191/10 in 42.5 overs.
In reply, India chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 192/3 in just 28.3 overs. Rohit Sharma led the charge with a brilliant century, scoring 61 runs off 53 balls. His innings was punctuated by powerful drives, precise cuts, and effortless pulls, leaving the Pakistani bowlers helpless. Rahul Sharma provided valuable support, scoring an unbeaten 38 runs, and together they steered India to a comfortable victory.
India’s victory in this match was a testament to their superior batting prowess. Their bowling attack was effective, but it was their batting that truly set them apart. Rohit Sharma’s scintillating century and Rahul Sharma’s composed innings were the highlights of India’s chase. This victory further solidified India’s position as one of the favorites to win the World Cup.
Match 4: India vs Bangladesh
India continued their winning streak in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, defeating Bangladesh by 7 wickets in a dominant performance.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a total of 256/8 in their 50 overs. Litton Das was the top scorer for Bangladesh with 94 runs, but no other batsman could provide significant support. India’s bowling attack was disciplined and effective, with Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah taking three wickets each.
In reply, India chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 261/3 in just 40.4 overs. Virat Kohli led the charge with a brilliant century, scoring 122 runs off 124 balls. His innings was punctuated by powerful drives, effortless flicks, and precise cuts, leaving the Bangladeshi bowlers helpless. KL Rahul provided valuable support, scoring an unbeaten 73 runs, and together they steered India to a comfortable victory.
India’s victory in this match was a testament to their all-round strength. Their bowling attack was disciplined and effective, their fielding was sharp and agile, and their batting was powerful and composed. They thoroughly deserved their victory, and it further strengthened their position as one of the favorites to win the World Cup.
Match 5: India vs New Zealand
India maintained their winning streak in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, defeating New Zealand by 4 wickets in a thrilling encounter.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a competitive total of 273 runs in their 50 overs. Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra provided New Zealand with a solid start, putting on a 102-run partnership. However, India’s bowlers clawed back into the match, taking wickets at regular intervals and restricting New Zealand to 273/10 in their 50 overs. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers for India, taking five wickets for 54 runs.
In reply, India’s chase was far from smooth, as they lost wickets at regular intervals. However, Virat Kohli displayed his class with a brilliant 95 runs off 116 balls, and together with Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 54 runs off 62 balls, he steered India to a comfortable victory with four wickets to spare.
India’s victory in this match was a testament to their fighting spirit and the brilliance of Virat Kohli. Though they were under pressure throughout the chase, they never gave up, and their determination and resilience paid off in the end. Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in batting, and it further solidified his position as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
Match Summary:
- Toss: New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first.
- New Zealand: 273/10 (50 overs), Daryl Mitchell (102), Rachin Ravindra (56)
- India: 274/6 (48.2 overs), Virat Kohli (95), Ravindra Jadeja (54)
- Result: India won by 4 wickets
Key Highlights:
- Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul for India
- Virat Kohli’s brilliant 95 runs off 116 balls
- India’s fighting spirit and resilience
Match 6: India vs England
India continued their winning streak in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, defeating England by 100 runs in a dominant display.
India won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a respectable total of 229/9 in their 50 overs. Rohit Sharma was the top scorer for India with 87 runs, but no other batsman could provide significant support. England’s bowling attack was effective, with Reece Topley and Sam Curran taking three wickets each.
In reply, England were bundled out for a paltry 129 runs in just 27.1 overs. Jasprit Bumrah was the wrecker-in-chief for India, taking four wickets for 22 runs. Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with two wickets each, as England’s batting line-up collapsed under pressure.
India’s victory in this match was a testament to their superior bowling attack. Their batsmen struggled to put up a big total, but their bowlers were exceptional, dismantling England’s batting line-up with ease. Bumrah, Shami, and Yadav were all outstanding, and their performance was the key to India’s victory.
Match Summary:
- Toss: India won the toss and elected to bat first.
- India: 229/9 (50 overs), Rohit Sharma (87), Rishabh Pant (46)
- England: 129 (27.1 overs), Ben Stokes (27), Sam Billings (23)
- Result: India won by 100 runs
Key Highlights:
- Jasprit Bumrah’s four-wicket haul for India
- England’s batting collapse, being bowled out for 129 runs
- India’s dominance throughout the tournament
Overall, India’s victory in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 was a well-deserved one. They displayed exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and a fighting spirit throughout the tournament. Their all-round performance, with their batsmen, bowlers, and fielders all contributing significantly to their success, was the key to their victory. India thoroughly deserved their title as the champions of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Match 7: India vs Srilanka
India capped off their remarkable winning streak in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with a resounding victory over Sri Lanka by 302 runs in the 33rd match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India, having already secured their place in the semi-finals, continued their dominant form, thrashing Sri Lanka in a one-sided affair. India won the toss and elected to bat first, and their batsmen put on a massive display, piling up a mammoth total of 357/8 in their 50 overs.
Rohit Sharma was the star of the show, scoring a scintillating 133 runs off 121 balls. His innings was punctuated by powerful drives, effortless flicks, and precise cuts, leaving the Sri Lankan bowlers helpless. KL Rahul provided valuable support, scoring 53 runs off 52 balls, and together they laid the foundation for India’s huge total.
In reply, Sri Lanka were completely outclassed, as their batting line-up crumbled under the pressure of chasing a daunting target. They were bundled out for a paltry 55 runs in just 20 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah taking five wickets for 24 runs. The rest of the Indian bowlers also chipped in with wickets, as Sri Lanka’s batting collapse was complete.
India’s victory in this match was a testament to their all-round superiority. Their batsmen were in devastating form, their bowlers were exceptional, and their fielding was sharp and agile. They thoroughly deserved their victory, and it further solidified their position as the undisputed champions of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Match Summary:
- Toss: India won the toss and elected to bat first.
- India: 357/8 (50 overs), Rohit Sharma (133), KL Rahul (53)
- Sri Lanka: 55 (20 overs), Madushanka (13), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (13)
- Result: India won by 302 runs
Key Highlights:
- Rohit Sharma’s scintillating century for India
- Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul for India
- Sri Lanka’s batting collapse, being bowled out for 55 runs
Match 8: India vs South Africa
India extended their winning streak in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with a comprehensive victory over South Africa by 243 runs in the 37th match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
India, having already secured their place in the final, continued their dominant form, completely outclassing South Africa in a one-sided affair. India won the toss and elected to bat first, and their batsmen put on a solid display, piling up a respectable total of 326/5 in their 50 overs.
Shreyas Iyer was the star of the show, scoring a composed 101 runs off 119 balls. His innings was punctuated by precise cuts, deft flicks, and calculated drives, leaving the South African bowlers helpless. Rishabh Pant provided valuable support, scoring 52 runs off 46 balls, and together they laid the foundation for India’s impressive total.
In reply, South Africa were completely outplayed, as their batting line-up crumbled under the pressure of chasing a challenging target. They were bundled out for a paltry 83 runs in just 26.1 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja taking five wickets for 28 runs. The rest of the Indian bowlers also chipped in with wickets, as South Africa’s batting collapse was complete.
India’s victory in this match was a testament to their all-round superiority. Their batsmen were in good form, their bowlers were exceptional, and their fielding was sharp and agile. They thoroughly deserved their victory, and it further cemented their position as the undisputed champions of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Match Summary:
- Toss: India won the toss and elected to bat first.
- India: 326/5 (50 overs), Shreyas Iyer (101), Rishabh Pant (52)
- South Africa: 83 (26.1 overs), Aiden Markram (19), David Miller (18)
- Result: India won by 243 runs
Key Highlights:
- Shreyas Iyer’s composed century for India
- Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul for India
- South Africa’s batting collapse, being bowled out for 83 runs
Match 9: India vs Netherlands
India extended their winning streak in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with a comprehensive victory over the Netherlands by 160 runs in the 45th match at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. India had already qualified for the semi-finals, but they continued their dominant form, completely outclassing the Netherlands in a one-sided affair. India won the toss and elected to bat first, and their batsmen put on a solid display, piling up a massive total of 410/4 in their 50 overs.
Rohit Sharma was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant 129 runs off 137 balls. His innings was punctuated by powerful drives, effortless flicks, and precise cuts, leaving the Dutch bowlers helpless. KL Rahul provided valuable support, scoring 72 runs off 84 balls, and together they laid the foundation for India’s impressive total. Rishabh Pant also chipped in with a quickfire 48 runs off 28 balls, further inflating India’s total.
In reply, the Netherlands were completely outplayed, as their batting line-up stumbled under the pressure of chasing a daunting target. They were bundled out for a paltry 250 runs in 47.5 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah taking two wickets for 39 runs and Mohammed Siraj taking two wickets for 40 runs. The rest of the Indian bowlers also chipped in with wickets, as the Netherlands’ batting collapse was complete.
India’s victory in this match was a testament to their all-round superiority. Their batsmen were in excellent form, their bowlers were exceptional, and their fielding was sharp and agile. They thoroughly deserved their victory, and it further cemented their position as the undisputed champions of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Match Summary:
- Toss: India won the toss and elected to bat first.
- India: 410/4 (50 overs), Rohit Sharma (129), KL Rahul (72), Rishabh Pant (48)
- Netherlands: 250 (47.5 overs), Teja Nidamanuru (54), Sybrand Engelbrecht (45)
- Result: India won by 160 runs
Key Highlights:
- Rohit Sharma’s brilliant century for India
- Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj’s two-wicket hauls for India
- The Netherlands’ batting collapse, being bowled out for 250 runs
Here is a table summarizing India’s group stage performance:
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Score | Player of the Match |
| October 8, 2023 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Australia | Won By 6 wickets | India 201/4, Australia 199/10 | KL Rahul (IND) · 97 (115) |
| October 11, 2023 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | Afghanistan | Won By 8 wickets | India 273/2, Afganistan 272/08 | Rohit Sharma (IND) · 131 (84) |
| October 14, 2023 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Pakistan | Won By 7 wickets | India 192/3, Pakistan 191/10 | Jasprit Bumrah (IND) · 2/19 (7.0) |
| October 19, 2023 | Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune | Bangladesh | Won By 7 wickets | India 261/3, Bangladesh 256/08 | Virat Kohli (IND) · 103 (97) |
| October 22, 2023 | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala | New Zealand | Won By 4 wickets | India 274/6, New Zealand 273/10 | Mohammed Shami (IND) · 5/54 (10.0) |
| October 29, 2023 | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | England | Won By 100 runs | India 229/9, England 129/10 | Rohit Sharma (IND) · 87 (101) |
| November 2, 2023 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Srilanka | Won By 302 runs | India 357/8, Srilanka 55/10 | Mohammed Shami (IND) · 5/18 (5.0) |
| November 5, 2023 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | South Africa | Won By 243 runs | India 326/5, South Africa 83/10 | Virat Kohli (IND) · 101 (121) |
| November 12, 2023 | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Netherlands | Won By 160 runs | India 410/4, Netherlands 250/10 | Shreyas Iyer (IND) · 128 (94) |
Semi-Final: India vs New Zealand
India faced New Zealand in the first semi-final at Mumbai, where they won by 70 runs. India won the toss and chose to bat first. India scored 397 for 4, with two batsman making century SS Iyer (105) and Virat Kohli scoring (117) the 50th ODI century beating India’s Cricket God Sachin Tendulkar (49 ODI century). New Zealand were bowled out for 327, with Mohammed Shami taking seven wickets for 57 runs, the best bowling figures by an Indian in World Cups. India’s batting, bowling and fielding were all exceptional, as they outplayed New Zealand in all departments.
Here is the Semi-final Summary table:
| Opponent | Venue | Result | Score | Top Batsman | Top Bowler |
| New Zealand | Mumbai | Won by 70 runs | India 397/4, New Zealand 327/10 | Virat Kohli (117) | Mohammed Shami (7/57) |
Final: India vs Australia
India will face Australia in the final at Ahmadabad on Sunday, November 19. India will be aiming to win their third World Cup title, after 1983 and 2011. India has a balanced and formidable team, with a strong batting line-up, a potent bowling attack and a sharp fielding unit. India has also shown great adaptability, consistency and confidence, throughout the tournament. India will be the favorites to lift the trophy, but they will not take their opponents lightly, and will play with the same intensity and passion that has brought them this far.