World Cup | 'We're all fortunate to play this sport and have a country like India behind it': Kane Williamson classy in victory

Team India fell narrowly short on Wednesday as the second day of the World Cup semifinal at Manchester's Old Trafford against New Zealand witnessed the Kiwis come out on top by 18 runs. They had resumed batting at 211/5 in 46.1 overs after rain had interrupted them on Tuesday and set India a target of 240 to win. India were bowled out for 221 with 3 balls to play.

Kane Williamson has been leading New Zealand from the front in this World Cup. Being the highest run scorer for the Kiwis, being lauded for his brilliant captaincy, the Kiwi has delivered his best. He will lead the Blackcaps in the finals at the Lord’s Cricket Ground now and will hope that they emerge victoriously. 

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No matter how where the Men In Blue play. Fans come out in large numbers and it never feels like India is playing an away game. After knocking India out of the World Cup, Williamson had a message for the Indian fans. 

He is hoping that Indian fans are not angry with New Zealand to end India’s World Cup campaign. He added that the Kiwis feel fortunate to play a sport that is followed with such love and passion. He added that the love for cricket that the Indian fans have is unrivaled. He also hopes that fans of the Men In Blue stand by the Blackcaps and support them in the finals. 

"Yeah, I hope they're not too angry. Obviously, the passion for the game in India is unrivaled and we are all fortunate to play this sport and have a country like India be right behind it and the support that they have for their home team. But hopefully we can adopt 1.5 billion supporters and they'll be supporting us, what do you reckon?," said Williamson in a post match conference. 

The Blackcaps Skipper achieved a milestone in the first semi-final against India of the ongoing tournament at Old Trafford on Tuesday. After managing just 27/1 in the first 10 overs, the Kiwis had to shift gears, Williamson’s gutsy knock of 67 off 95 took his run tally in this World Cup to 548 and made him the record bearer for most runs in a single edition of the quadrennial event by a Kiwi batsman.

New Zealand beat India by 18 runs to seal a spot in the finals of the World Cup at Lord's, London on July 14. 

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