India’s Virat Kohli struck a record 50th hundred and fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s seven-wicket haul proved equally crucial as the unbeaten hosts overpowered New Zealand by 70 runs in a high-scoring match yesterday to march into the World Cup final.

He did so on his former India team-mate's home ground, with batting great Tendulkar among those applauding at the Wankhede Stadium.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson commented at the toss of the first semi-final against India that the pitch was a used one. The pitch being used has come under controversy following reports that the BCCI has switched the pre-agreed upon pitch.

Following controversy that BCCI has changed the pitch for the semi-final game between India and New Zealand in Mumbai today without the permission of the ICC, the matter became the talking point among the other two semi-finalists Australia and South Africa ahead of the second semi-final in Kolkata.

The first semi-final between New Zealand and hosts India at the ongoing World Cup will be played today but the tournament has now been plunged into controversy amidst claims that BCCI has changed the pitch for the semi-final game at Mumbai without ICC permission.

As a perfect India team appear in the first semifinal of the 2023 World Cup against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today, a pertinent question would be if the Black Caps have any magic left in their tank to stop the rampant hosts from taking a bold step closer to winning the coveted trophy for a third time.

While sifting through the wreckage of Bangladesh’s disastrous World Cup campaign in India to find out what caused the team to crash and burn out in the competition, there are many apparent reasons that come in sight.

From aspirations of making it to their maiden semifinal to barely qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy with an eighth-placed finish, Bangladesh’s World Cup dream has fluctuated as wildly as its tumultuous state of affairs. 

After the Sri Lanka cricket team returned to the country following a disastrous World Cup campaign where they only won two matches and finished ninth, consequently missing out on a spot for the 2025 Champions Trophy, the team was greeted with heavy criticism from all quarters.

Defending champions England, led by captain Jos Buttler, suffered six defeats in their first seven matches of the tournament

Dinesh Lad, a former railway worker and cricketer, has helped mould dozens of players during a 30-year coaching career, including Rohit and India team-mate Shardul Thakur.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam was described as "depressed" and under pressure to save his job Sunday after the team crashed out of the Cricket World Cup, failing to make the semifinals for a second successive tournament.

Having worked as the Bangladesh team's performance analyst for nearly six years, Shrinivas Chandrasekaran bid adieu to Bangladesh cricket after the World Cup. He is the second member of the support staff after pace bowling coach Allan Donald to cut ties with the team. In an interview with The Daily Star's Mazhar Uddin on Saturday, Shrinivas spoke candidly about what he felt went wrong in the World Cup campaign. Following are excerpts of the interview-

India coach Rahul Dravid says he backs the "vibe and energy" in his team as they plot World Cup semi-final revenge over New Zealand on Wednesday.

Kohli delighted the crowd with a wide array of shots after a shaky start to his quest to reach 50 ODI tons and eclipse Sachin Tendulkar's record, but Roelof van der Merwe briefly silenced fans by breaking his stumps with a flatter one.

Bangladesh cricket team returned home yesterday after a disastrous World Cup campaign in India where they were eliminated from the group stage with seven defeats against only two wins. 

India beat the Netherlands by 160 runs on Sunday to finish undefeated in their nine matches in the league stage at the World Cup.

The 1992 champions failed to make the semifinals of the show-piece event in India, finishing their campaign with their fifth defeat in nine matches.

India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat in their final group fixture of the World Cup against the Netherlands at the M Chinnawasmy Stadium in Bengaluru today.

An emotional Mitch Marsh revealed his gratitude to Australia team leaders for permitting him compassionate leave during the mega event, allowing him to send off his beloved 'Pop' following his death last week.