Kohli, Shami lead the way as India defeats New Zealand by 70 runs to advance to the Cricket World Cup Final

India advanced to the final of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 after defeating New Zealand in a high-scoring match at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, with key performers including Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Shreyas Iyer.

As India's relentless number three helped the team put together a first-innings score of 397/4, Kohli became the first man in One Day International cricket history to score 50 centuries in the format, earning India a place in a World Cup final for the first time since 2014.

The imperious Shami led India's efforts with the ball, repelling a defiant New Zealand response led by Daryl Mitchell's 134 - the right-hander's second century against India in the tournament.

Shami finished with superb figures of 7/57, making him the tournament's leading wicket-taker, with 24 from six games at an incredible average of 9.13.

Earlier, Kohli's classy century added to the Indian openers' blistering start, as the tournament hosts got off to a flying start in Mumbai.

Even after Kohli was dismissed for 117, India was eyeing a massive total with wickets in hand and plenty of power to come.

And Iyer's stunning century off 67 balls helped them set the highest-ever total in a Men's Cricket World Cup semi-final.

Mitchell Santner's 1/51 was the best of the Kiwis' returns, with Tim Southee taking three of the four wickets but finishing with costly figures of 3/100.

Shubman Gill batted unbeaten on 80* from 66 balls, with Rohit Sharma's 29-ball 47 and KL Rahul's 20-ball 39* bookending the innings in style.

To chase down 398, New Zealand needed something special, and they got off to a strong start with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra going on the attack in the powerplay.

However, first-change Shami made another breakthrough for India, catching Conway for 13.

Shami was at it again, this time sending Ravindra back to the dugout, with the youngster also departing for 13.

Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell spearheaded the rebuild, with the Black Caps reaching 100 in the 17th over, with the required rate just shy of nine an over and eight wickets in hand.

Mitchell's quietly impressive tournament continued as he passed the half-century mark as nerves began to build around the Wankhede Stadium.

And Williamson, who survived a scare when he thought he was run out by KL Rahul, quickly followed with his half-century as the pair forged a partnership that kept the game alive.

The pair pushed on, adding 181 for the third wicket before Williamson was bowled for 69 by the returning Shami.

Shami's fourth came not long after with the removal of Tom Latham for a two-ball duck.

With the required scoring rate at more than ten per over after the captain's departure, New Zealand needed Mitchell and Glenn Phillips to put on an all-time great batting display to deny India a spot in Sunday's final.

But Ravindra Jadeja's brilliant fielding put India on the verge of victory, catching Phillips (41) off Jasprit Bumrah and Mark Chapman (2) off Kuldeep Yadav to leave New Zealand trailing by six wickets and requiring a miracle.

Any hope of a comeback was dashed when Jadeja took a hat-trick of catches to end Mitchell's 119-ball 134, with Shami taking the wicket to pick up another five-for.

And Shami returned for one final time to complete the job, taking two more wickets to become the tournament's leading wicket-taker and ruthlessly seal the victory.

India will now face the winner of Thursday's second semi-final between South Africa and Australia in Sunday's final.

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