 "Virat Kohli: Amid imperfect conditions, the perfect chasemaster")
In a World Cup known for one-sided contests, the India vs New Zealand match in Dharamsala lived up to its billing. Closely contested over 98 overs, the game played amid a picturesque Himalayan setting, had the audience on the edge for the most part. Yet, despite the thrill and satisfaction it offered, the game was flawed in many ways and none more so because of the pathetic outfield in the HPCA Stadium. World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table The sandy outfield lacked even grass coverage and lush conditions for diving. The impact of it was clearly visible during India’s bowling when captain Rohit Sharma brushed his hand trying to stop a ball on the uneven ground and required medical attention. As a result, Indian fielders were largely reluctant to dive in the outfield. Mohammed Shami and Daryl Mitchell touched upon the poor nature of the outfield in the post-match press conference but held back from criticising it.
England captain Jos Buttler was more direct when the defending champions were in Dharamsala earlier. “It’s poor in my own opinion. I think any time you’re sort of talking about being careful diving or sort of being careful when you’re fielding, it sort of goes against everything you want to be as a team. You know you want to dive through our houses to save a run. So that’s obviously not ideal, the way the surface is, the outfield. If you feel like you’re having to hold yourself back, it’s not a place you want to be as a team or player, or in a World Cup match,” Buttler had said before the Bangladesh game. The outfield, however, wasn’t the only imperfection on the night. The Indian fielders dropped three crucial catches. Rachin Ravindra was dropped on 12 by Ravindra Jadeja and the all-rounder went on to make 75. Mitchell, who scored 130, was dropped twice - by KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah. There’s more. The India chase was once abrupted due to fog . Yes, that’s right! The game at Dharamsala was briefly delayed due to fog and low visibility. Thankfully it cleared away quickly but at the venue which is at an altitude of 4,700 feet, there’s always a danger of the game being called off due to fog.
If you play in the hills, I guess you have to live as the weather dictates. First time I am seeing fog stops play.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 22, 2023
Amid all these imperfections, there was the serene perfection of a chase once again being perfectly paced and gunned down by the chasemaster Virat Kohli . India have won five matches out of five in the World Cup 2023 so far and all of the wins have come batting second. Barring the Pakistan game in which Kohli got just 16 runs, he has at least a fifty in all other matches. After five matches, his stats read 354 runs at an average of 118 and a strike rate of 91. On Sunday, he came in to bat in the 12th over at 71/1 after Rohit had laid the foundation with his attacking 46. And while he kept losing partners at the other end, the India batter once again stood tall to bail the team out on a day they were one batter short with Shami playing in place of Shardul Thakur. When Suryakumar Yadav got run out, with Kohli playing a part in it, on 191 in the 274-run chase, the moment which put real doubts in the minds of fans, there was still 83 needed from 87 balls. But as it so often happens, when Kohli is around, the hope is high and the panic is away.
Kohli vs Suryakumar Yadav
— Liza Akter (@LizaSportsLover) October 22, 2023
Suryakumar Yadav run out #CWC23 #ICCCricketWorldCup #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/U9U54Dkjye
Kohli made subtle changes to his approach as he stitched a match-winning 78-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja. He scored 40 during the partnership but only three fours and one six out of the total eight fours and two sixes that he hit on the night came after SKY’s dismissal. In a classic Kohli way, he largely dealt in singles and doubles during the partnership with Jadeja and still never allowed the required run rate to touch 6 or more. In fact, two of his boundaries – a six and four – came in the 46th over of the match when the result was almost a forgone conclusion and the great Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI tons was firmly in his sight.
Virat Kohli never gives up; he never lacks intensity. He is always there for the team and is the biggest chase master in world cricket. The nation needs to acknowledge and salute this soldier. #ViratKohli #INDvsNZ @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/UG3gKjbmsv
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 22, 2023
It wasn’t to be as he got out on 95 trying to clear the mid-wicket for a six. But in the same over the task was done for India with 12 balls to spare. Kohli didn’t get the No. 49 but his leadership and chasing skills gave India their fifth consecutive win in the World Cup 2023. Like how his innings gave us something perfect in an imperfect game.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
