‘Sapne poore karne ki himmat ho to’ – Fans react as Shreyas Iyer recalls his promise to his friends to play for India during ODI WC 2011 final

India middle-order Shreyas Iyer scored a memorable hundred against New Zealand in the semifinal of the ODI World Cup 2023. He came out to bat in the 23rd over when Shubman Gill was retired hurt due to cramps. The former scored 70-ball 105 runs including four fours and eight sixes. The Mumbaikar’s innings helped the team reach 397/4 with Virat Kohli getting to his 50th ODI hundred as well.

Meanwhile, after the game, Iyer recalled telling his friends during the 2011 final that he would one day play for India. Notably, the first semifinal was played at the Wankhede Stadium, the same venue hosted the final of the 2011 event between India and Sri Lanka.

Notably, in the two innings played by Iyer during the ongoing tournament, he scored a fifty (against Sri Lanka) and a hundred. In reply to India’s 397/24, the Kiwis were 220/2. Mohammed Shami came in and took the wickets of skipper Kane Williamson and Tom Latham in the 33rd over.

Even though the likes of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips tried well, the team ended up with only 327 all-out. The Indian bowlers were pushed to the limit while defending a target for the first time in the tournament. Now, they will wait for the winner of the South Africa vs Australia semifinal on November 16 in Kolkata. Also, for the first time since the 2011 event, the Men In Blue will play an ODI World Cup final.

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