Ahmedabad: In a stunning World Cup 2023 opener in Ahmedabad, New Zealand showcased their dominance, cruising to a resounding nine-wicket victory over the defending champions, England. This emphatic win was fueled by unbeaten centuries from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, who exhibited a masterful display of skill and determination.

England found themselves in a monumental struggle, managing a total of 282 for 9, with the exception of Joe Root, who waged a lone battle and contributed a commendable 77 runs from 86 balls. However, the rest of the English lineup faltered against the relentless New Zealand bowlers.

In stark contrast, the Kiwis made the challenging target appear surprisingly manageable, accomplishing the feat in just 36.2 overs. Devon Conway was the epitome of brilliance, scoring an impressive 152 runs, while Rachin Ravindra, equally exceptional, notched up an astonishing 123 runs. Together, they were the architects of New Zealand’s awe-inspiring chase.

The pitch in Ahmedabad, which had posed considerable challenges for England, seemed to have considerably eased up during New Zealand’s innings. As the two unbeaten centurions guided their team to a resounding victory, it was evident that New Zealand had set a high standard for the tournament, making a bold statement in their quest for World Cup 2023 glory.