New Zealand sealed their place in the World Cup semifinals with a convincing 28-run victory over India in Match 38, delivering a dominant all-round performance highlighted by a sensational innings from Mark Chapman.
Batting first, New Zealand set the tone early despite losing Tim Seifert in the opening exchanges. Chapman then produced one of the finest knocks of the tournament, dismantling the Indian bowling attack with a breathtaking 81 off just 29 balls. His innings was a perfect blend of timing, power, and composure, ensuring New Zealand maintained relentless momentum throughout the middle overs. Devon Conway added valuable support with a quickfire 27, while Glenn Phillips provided late acceleration, helping the Black Caps post an imposing total of 155 for 5 in their allotted 10 overs.
India’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, with Chapman’s counterattacking approach neutralizing both pace and spin. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up two wickets each, but the damage had already been done by New Zealand’s aggressive batting display.
In reply, India began positively with Rohit Sharma leading the chase with a fluent 46 off 20 balls. Virat Kohli also contributed with a brisk cameo, keeping India in contention during the early stages. However, consistent wickets in the middle overs halted the momentum, and the required run rate continued to climb. Despite late resistance from KL Rahul and Shivam Dube, India finished on 127 for 6, falling short by 28 runs.
New Zealand’s bowling attack showed excellent discipline under pressure, using smart variations and tight fielding to choke India’s scoring options. James Neesham and Mitchell Santner played key roles in the middle overs, while the overall bowling unit executed their plans effectively.
This victory not only marked a crucial win for New Zealand but also confirmed their qualification for the semifinals, underlining their status as one of the most balanced and dangerous teams in the tournament.