After Kohli's ton, Shami steamrolls New Zealand for India's entry into World Cup final

Shami, who has remained one of the most reliant bowlers for skipper Rohit Sharma in this edition of the World Cup, on Wednesday picked both the opening wickets for India after the hosts slammed a mammoth 397/4 in 50 overs.

The luxury of a huge total on the scoreboard did not restrict Shami from sending back both the openers- Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra- within the powerplay overs.

The mammoth Indian total, which was powered by Virat Kohli's historic 50th ton and a stormy century by Shreyas Iyer, started looking remotely achievable for New Zealand, who were bowled out for 327, when Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson (69 off 73 balls) and Daryl Mitchell (134 off 119 balls) started looking ominous for India.

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India had to wait until the two batters put 181 runs for the third wicket, which was picked by Shami in the form of Williamson whom the pacer had dropped in an easy chance a few overs prior.

Williamson was followed by Tom Latham whose dismissal by Shami brought back the home team strongly into the match, which was held at the same venue where Mahendra Singh Dhoni's India lifted the World Cup in 2011.

Shami, whose seven wickets also comprised the one of Mitchell, was joined by Kuldeep Yadav, who picked one wicket for 56 runs in 10 overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj too scalped one wicket each.

Though the Player of the Match Shami stole the limelight in the second innings, the jam packed Wankhede Stadium where several eminent personalities were in attendance was all about Kohli, who surpassed cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's 49 ODI hundreds.

Kohli scripted history by hitting the 50th ODI hundred on a day India looked to do anything to not repeat the 2019 World Cup semi-final fate where the men-in-blue were overpowered by New Zealand by almost a whisker.

Though Kohli's 117 was supremely backed by Shreyas Iyer's 105 off just 70 balls, the destructive batting was inaugurated in the afternoon by Rohit and his opening partner Shubman Gill.

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Rohit's 47 off 29 balls and Gill, who remained unbeaten at 80 after missing the match briefly, put India into the driver's seat straightaway after the coin toss was won by the two-time World Cup winners, India.

India, who have won all 10 matches they have played so far in this tournament, reached the World Cup for the fourth time including two where they went on to win the title (in 1983 and 2011).

The final match, which will be played between India and the winner of the second semi-final (between South Africa and Australia), will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.