"Though they're a billion broken hearts tonight, Team India, you put up a great fight and are deserving of our love & respect." said Gandhi (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday lauded the Indian cricket team for putting up a great fight and said it deserves the love and respect.

Gandhi also congratulated the New Zealand team for its well-earned victory that gave them a place in the cricket World Cup finals.

"Though they're a billion broken hearts tonight, Team India, you put up a great fight and are deserving of our love & respect. Congratulations to New Zealand on their well earned win, that gives them a place in the World Cup final," he tweeted.

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 in Manchester on Wednesday.