New Delhi :
India was shocked by New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday. The Kiwis defeated the men in blue by 18 runs in close encouter to reach the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup for the second time in a row. Following India's defeat, reactions from all over the world, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hailed team India's fighting spirit despite the loss.
Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, PM Modi wrote: "A disappointing result, but good to see Team India’s fighting spirit till the very end. India batted, bowled, fielded well throughout the tournament, of which we are very proud. Wins and losses are a part of life. Best wishes to the team for their future endeavours."
India's famed top-order imploded on a day when it mattered most as a gritty New Zealand survived a swift counter attack from Ravindra Jadeja to win an exciting World Cup semi-final by 18 runs.
Indian top-order had one failure due and much to their horror, the semi-final proved to be their dooms day. Jadeja (77 off 59 balls) used every ounce of his 'bits and pieces' skill but the 'men in blue' could only get as far as 221 in 49.3 overs in pursuit of 240.
New Zealand made it to their second successive final, with credit going to their pacers' -- Matt Henry (3/37) and Trent Boult's (2/42) -- deadly opening spell and Lockie Ferguson's steely nerve in the penultimate over.
(With PTI inputs)
