FROM DREAM TO REALITY

India are one win away from bagging the ultimate prize after a run that defies all pre-event odds

- SANJJEEV K SAMYAL

Knockout games are all about handling pressure and New Zealand, as they have shown in the past, have mastered the art. On Wednesday, however, at a packed Wankhede Stadium, the Indian batters put on such a dominant show that nerves never quite became part of the equation. And if someone argues that they did, then Mohammed Shami was on hand to snuff out the Kiwi hopes with an astonishing display of pace bowling.

In a perfect display of batting, India posted a massive total of 397/4, leaving their bowlers enough margin for error even if things turned difficult while defending under the lights. It proved to be the difference in the semifinal. During their third wicket partnership of 181 (149 balls), Darryl Mitchel and skipper Kane Williamson showed the Black Caps are always in the game no matter the target.

But the total proved too daunting even for their big-hearted effort. India were well served by their sultan of swing, Mohammed Shami, who captured seven wickets, as they won the game by 70 runs and enter their fourth final. Winning their 10th game on the trot, they will play the winners of the second semi-finals between South Africa and Australia at Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The home team owed it to their batters though. In one of their most dominant displays in a high-stakes game, the entire Indian top-order clicked. Led by Virat Kohli's record-breaking 50th century, everyone played their roles to perfection. After Rohit Sharma came out and again provided a blistering start with a 29-ball 47, Kohli anchored the innings with a 113ball 117.