India has become the first team to book a ticket to the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Team India beat New Zealand by 70 runs in a thrilling semi-final at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium yesterday to set up their fourth World Cup final. The Indian team, which had won all nine matches in the group round of the World Cup, had to fight really hard to beat the New Zealand team in the semi-final. Even after batting first and posting a mammoth score of 397/4, the fear of defeat haunted India at many points. The Indian fans were put under pressure by the batting performances of Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips. Even though many people think that Twenty-20 cricket matches are making ODI cricket seem less vital, this exciting match showed us that ODIs are still very much relevant today.

Apart from ensuring the final berth, this match also helped Indian players achieve some individual records. Star player Virat Kohli became the first batsman to score 50 centuries in ODI cricket. Virat achieved this feat by breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 centuries. Even the master blaster was present at the stadium to witness Kohli break his record. Additionally, Virat broke Sachin Tendulkar's record of 673 runs and became the highest run scorer in a single edition of the World Cup. In this World Cup, Virat has scored 710 runs thus far. Virat also overtook Australian great Ricky Ponting in this match to become the third-highest run scorer in ODI cricket history with 13,794 runs.

During the time of his retirement from cricket, when Sachin Tendulkar was asked if there was a chance of someone breaking his records, the first name he mentioned was that of Virat Kohli. Throughout his cricketing journey, many people have hailed Virat as the successor of Sachin Tendulkar. The sight of Virat bowing to Sachin in the gallery after scoring his 50th century was heartwarming. Sachin created records at a time when there was no umpire decision review system and no fielding restrictions. Sachin Tendulkar would have reached even greater heights had the situations been as they are now. Virat's realization that there is a big difference between him and Sachin no matter how many records he breaks is appreciatable.

Rohit's record for the most sixes in World Cup history and Shreyas Iyer's second consecutive World Cup century should also be applauded. Above all these, the performance of Mohammed Shami, who brought India back into the match by picking up 7 wickets, was nothing short of amazing. Shami, who got a chance in the playing eleven as a replacement, has now become an irreplaceable talent for the Indian team.

India's ten victories in this World Cup are due to collective efforts. Rahul Dravid, the current Indian coach, was the captain of the team that got knocked out of the 2007 World Cup in the group stage itself. In his role as coach, Dravid will aim to level the scores by winning the World Cup with a team that is shaped by professionalism. Team India is just one step away from the golden crown. Let's wait for Rohit Sharma and his men to lift the world title in Ahmedabad on Sunday night.