Kohli, Shami lead India into Cricket World Cup final

MUMBAI, India (AP):

VIRAT KOHLI struck a record-breaking century and Mohammed Shami took seven wickets to guide India into the Cricket World Cup final yesterday.

India beat New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semi-final match in Mumbai, sparked by Kohli’s 117 that propelled the host nation to a daunting 397-4 and thrilled a passionate crowd at Wankhede Stadium which included David Beckham.

It was Kohli’s 50th ODI hundred, breaking the record for the format he shared with India great Sachin Tendulkar, who was also at the stadium.

Shreyas Iyer scored his second consecutive hundred in the tournament – 105 off 70 balls with four boundaries and eight sixes – as India reached the highest score in a World Cup knockout game.

The Black Caps were bowled out for 327 in their reply, with pacer Shami (7-57) taking the first four wickets – including two in three deliveries when New Zealand were going well on 220-2. Daryl Mitchell hit 134 off 119 balls.

Shami has three five-wicket hauls in six appearances this World Cup and a record four in total at the tournament.

They were the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in ODIs, and also the best bowling figures in a World Cup knockout game. Shami, who is now the leading bowler in the tournament with 23 wickets in only six games, was named player of the match.

STANDING OVATION

Kohli’s innings, which included nine fours and two sixes, ended when he holed out off Tim Southee, who took 3-100 in 10 overs. He walked off to a standing ovation.

It was Kohli’s first major score in a World Cup knockout game, having failed to make double figures in three previous semi-finals.

After his dismissal, Iyer took charge of the innings and raced to his hundred. His second 50 came off 32 deliveries. Lokesh Rahul finished with 39 off 20, hitting five fours and two sixes.

“It feels like a dream … too good to be true, feels surreal to me,” Kohli said at the innings’ break. “My wife is here, the person I love the most. My idol is also here, and I was able to get to the 50th in front of them ... in front of this crowd, this venue is so historic. If I could paint the perfect picture, this would be it.”

It wasn’t as easy a win as some home fans might have expected after Shami had removed both New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra for 13 runs apiece.

But India were poor in the field with even Ravindra Jadeja guilty of getting carried away and giving over throws.

Kuldeep Yadav bowled a fine last two overs, giving away only six runs.

But before that, the wind went out of New Zealand’s sails when Mitchell was caught off Shami in the 46th over – his third five-wicket haul in the tournament.

India, who have won all 10 of their games, will play in the title match for the fourth time and will look to win it for the third time, after 1983 and 2011.

Australia plays South Africa on Thursday in Kolkata in the other semifinal match. The final is on Sunday in Ahmedabad.