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'There Is Pressure' - Rohit Sharma Reflects On India's Tense Win Over NZ In Semifinal

image-lp02uua5Rohit Sharma during the semifinal against NZ (AP Photos)

The World Cup 2023 is ready with its first finalist and it is the home team, India, that has grabbed a much-deserved place in the summit clash. India were unbeaten in the group stage and now have managed to get past a spirited Kiwi side as well, who were the finalist in the last two editions.

Mohammed Shami was the star of the show with a seven-wicket haul while Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli slammed centuries to take India close to 400 in the first innings. Rohit Sharma, naturally was a happy man after the victory and credited his team for showing great composure under pressure.

Rohit Sharma mentioned that he knew that in Wankhede any score is not safe and they could not afford to relax. He added that they needed to stay calm when the partnership was brewing up between Mitchell and Williamson and he is happy to get over the line.

"Yeah. Obviously. I have played a lot of cricket here. So I know whatever score we get, we can't be relaxed. But we know there will be partnerships but we had to stay calm. These things are bound to happen but I'm glad that we came out on top."

He credited Shami for his outstanding bowling and stated that they tried everything, but Mitchell and Williamson batted quite well.

"Obviously, when the scoring rate is above nine all the time, you have to take chances. Sometimes it takes off. Sometimes it doesn't. We didn't take those chances. Williamson and Mitchell played brilliantly. The crowd went completely silent but we knew we had to create some magic. We tried everything but nothing worked. But Shami was brilliant."

Rohit also brought up the game against England where India defended 230 brilliantly and that gave them confidence. He also added that there is always pressure when playing for India but there is extra pressure of World Cup semifinal. He signed off by adding that he just told his team to do what they have been doing in the last nine games and is happy to get into the final.

"England game we got only 230 on the board and the way our bowlers bowled was brilliant. Today, obviously, semi-final, I wouldn't say there was no pressure. Whenever you play any game, there is pressure but there is extra pressure when you play a semi-final. I just told guys to keep doing what we have done in the last nine games and happy to get into the final."

India will now play the final of the World Cup 2023 against the team that win the second semifinal between South Africa and Australia scheduled to be played on 16th of November at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.