That's it from from our end. A convincing win for India, courtesy Mohammed Shami who now has become the highest wicket-taker of this tournament. A clinical victory for Rohit Sharma's men in the end. For once it was Blackcaps who were cruising in the chase in the middle phase but Shami's second spell pushed the Kiwis on the backfoot. And in the end, India sealed the deal by 70 runs as they have reached to the World Cup final by 12 years. 

Shami - First Indian for take a 7-fer in ODIs

That's it! Mohammed Shami with a seven fer! New Zealand bowled out for 327, and India are into the finals of World Cup 2023. They won by 70 runs and sit on the flight to Ahmedabad. Shami came late to the equation in the World Cup, but he made a massive impact on the performance of the Men in Blue.

Siraj takes Southee's wicket

Mohammed Siraj finally has one in the wickets column. Rohit Sharma settles underneath it to complete the formalities. New Zealand did play well, but it's the bridge too far away to cross. India have one leg in the final!

Legendary fifer for legend himself

Mohammed Shami with yet another fifer! The biggest fish has been trapped, and Jadeja with another catch in the deep. Fifer number 3 for Shami in this World Cup, and India now surely have their one foot in the finals. Shami is fired up and raises the ball, acknowledging the crowd standing on their feet to applaud the consistency of Shami. Nonetheless, spectacular innings from Daryl Mitchell. Hats off to a great batter. Mitchell gets a massive reception as he puts his head down on the way to the dressing room. Shreyas Iyer pats Mitchell's back for his heroics.

Kuldeep with the wicket, Jaddu with another grab

India have another wicket as Kuldeep delivers in his last over. Mark Chapman is the one who has to go back as he fails with his slog sweep. Catches from Jadeja and the Sea of Blues are getting easy on their nerves. 

Bumrah does his magic

High in the night sky, and one man you want under is Ravindra Jadeja! What calmness under this swirling high ball, and the crowd goes up again. The pressure game and the pressure of the massive run chase have curbed Phillips' innings. He had to go for the big one, and no offence, it was Bumrah with the wicket. 

What's happening in the middle?

What is the need for a throw at this stage? Jadeja hits the stumps at the bowler's end and concedes another run. The umpire sends it upstairs to check for run out but Mitchell is well inside the crease when the ball hits the stumps. NOT OUT is displayed on the big screen.

SAME TO SAME!

Siraj replaces Shami from this end. He'd hope to be as effective as Shami. He bowling far from Mitchell's reach, bowling with the same tactic that Afghanistan missed against Maxwell during his 201*-run knock.

Arjun: Shami is literally bowling his heart out. You need to see this. You can feel it when the ball is heavily thudding the pitch. Shami's heavy balls are working for India in this semifinal clash.

Two in an over for SHAMIIII!

Shami - the man, the myth, the legend. Fourth wicket for him, fourth for India in the day!! It hasn't been India vs New Zealand in the chase but Shami vs NZ here in Mumbai. Latham departs for a silver duck as he misses flick on a length ball that seamed into the southpaw to thud him on the front leg. He also has scalped 51 wickets for India in World Cups, and he is the only one with 50+ WC wickets for his team. 

Century for Mitchell, but Mama is gone

On the first ball Mitchell smacked his century, successive against IND in the tournament but Kane Williamson departs on the following delivery. Shami, you beauty!!! Shami does it once again. Just a yard short and India gets the breakthrough they desired for. Suryakumar Yadav keeps his calm as Sidharth mentioned a few moments back. A comfortable catch at the deep and Shami redeems for the dropped catch.

Time for drinks!

Time for Drinks Break, and much needed for the hosts as well. Sloppy fielding has been the centre of the talk in the second powerplay. Rohit Sharma is seen to give a pep-talk in a huddle to his boys. This is the moment. We have witnessed games being changed after drinks break, wickets being fallen after drinks break. 

Boom back in the attack

Jasprit Bumrah came back to the attack and he almost got rid of both the batters. Daryl Mitchell mistimed a hoick but a lazy effort from SKY at deep mid and Shami dropping a dolly at mid-on has cost India big time in the last couple of minutes. The Men in Blue desperately need a breakthrough!

Half-century for the Kiwi skipper

That's a half-century for Kane Williamson. This is his third fifty in the WC 2023 from three innings. But, it has been a stretchy knock from the Blackcaps captain. 

Fifty for Mitchell

The fighter fights for New Zealand. This partnership between him and the Blackcaps skipper is looking daunting. Both the batters have got set now and the platform is set in this tall chase.

Massive moment but KW's safe

Run Out Check. There is a direct hit at the striker's end and Williamson might be struggling here. The ball is yet to arrive in Rahul's gloves. When the ball arrives in Rahul's gloves, Williamson's bat gets inside the line.

Mitchell with the put on the paddle

Outstanding shot from Daryl Mitchell. A proper lofted hit downtown holding his shape against Shami. This is Daryl Mitchell special!! A shot that he really loves to play and does it against Shami now. Mitchell picks it up and lofts it with full extension of the arm, helping it maroon over long off for a six.

Again, Shami is the guy for IND!

It's Shami again. He picks the big wicket of in-form Rachin Ravindra and both the New Zealand openers are back in the hut. India are on fire as the Kiwis are two down in the chase of 398 runs.

Shami breaks the FIRST BLOOD!

Beautiful delivery from a sensational bowler. Conway has to depart as Shami bowls in the channel, which seamed away from the batter. Conway goes for a big booming drive away from the body only to find an outside edge of the bat flying towards the first slip fielder. KL Rahul, behind the stumps, takes a fantastic grab driving to his left. Kane Williamson walks out to bat at number three. 

Conway gets going

8 runs of the first over. Bumrah did get plenty of shape with the new cherry. It will be Mohammed Siraj who will bowl from the other end and will be interesting to see how much swing he gets.

That’s the end of the innings. India won the toss, opted to bat first, and have posted a mammoth 397 on the board for the loss of four wickets. Win the toss and bat first in a knockout fixture, that’s exactly what the Men in Blue have done and will be very happy with their effort heading into the innings break. New Zealand have got a monumental task ahead of them. Their bowlers looked clueless for the most part of the innings and have conceded close to 400 runs in a semi-final clash. That tells the story so far.

A two ball stay for SKY

SKY comes, SKY departs. Gill comes out to the middle with 5 balls to go. He has the chance of getting to his century.

Shreyas falls shortly after century

End of an outstanding knock from Shreyas Iyer. He departs after scoring 105 off just 70 balls. Suryakumar Yadav walks out to bat at number 5. Can India get to 400-mark here in the semifinal clash? They are at 381 with seven balls to go!!!

Stylish Shreyas notches consecutive century

Back-to-back centuries for Shreyas Iyer. He is having a dream World Cup. Gets to the landmark off just 67 balls. He loves playing at his home ground and soaks in all the applause from the Mumbai crowd.

King falls, but he has done his job!

Whipped straight into the hands of Conway at deep square leg. A fine knock comes to an end. Kohli walks off to a standing ovation from the Wankhede crowd. KL Rahul walks out to bat at number four.

The MOMENT is HERE, 50th ODI Century for VK

That would be Virat Kohli's first century in any ICC knockout match. Kohli brings his 50th ODI Hundred at God of Cricket's home. Bows down to Sachin as he goes past his predecessor in terms of number of ODI tons. The modern day maestro is full of emotions as he falls down on the ground after completing in ton. Sachin reacts, his wife throws flying kisses his way and the whole Wankhede erupts. 

Shreyas with 50, Kohli struggling with cramps

A well calculated fifty from India's No.4. Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli have stitched a superb partnership after Gill got retired hurt. Iyer has slammed his fourth 50+ score of this World Cup. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is having a bit of cramp in his legs. The physio is taking care of the Indian number 3. 

Shreyas Iyer with the SHOT OF AN EMPEROR

What a shot from Shreyas Iyer! Two eyes aren't enough to watch this! Lovely stroke down the ground and even Virat Kohli is impressed. Stand and deliver stuff from Shreyas Iyer. The batter stands still and goes through with the shot straight back over the bowler's head for an 86 m six. Four more after that and he is inching towards his third 50 of the tournament.

Kohli goes past Sachinnnnnn

Virat Kohli now has the most runs for a batter in a single World Cup edition. He has gone past his mentor, aka Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 673 runs in the 2003 World Cup.

Most Runs in a Single Edition of ODI World Cup 
674* - Virat Kohli, 2023* 
673 - Sachin Tendulkar, 2003 
659 - Matthew Hayden, 2007 
648 - Rohit Sharma, 2019
647 - David Warner, 2019

200 up for IND, 50 between VK-Iyer

India are heading towards another massive total in this World Cup. Thanks to the flying start by Rohit Sharma and then the partnerships between Kohli and Shubman Gill & VK and Shreyas Iyer have helped IND reached 214 after 30 overs. Meanwhile, this duo has just completed 50 partnership. 

First fifty in an ODI WC knockout for King Kohli

Down the ground for the single and Virat Kohli gets his first 50 in the ODI World Cup semi-finals.

Huge moment in the game, Gill gets retired hurt

Gill is struggling here. Maybe cramps. He is down and has called for the physio. He is walking off. He is limping off the field. Looks like it might be a hamstring injury. Shreyas Iyer walks down the stairs to bat next. Gill is retired hurt here and can come out to bat later in the innings.

King & Prince Keep Going!

A nice partnership is brewing between Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill and these two are exactly the players, India want in the middle after a good start. From the Kiwi, point of view, Mitchell Santner will be key here and so will be the young Rachin Ravindra. Let's see how things unfold in the middle overs with India at 118-1 in 15 overs!!!

Fifty for Prince Gill!!!

It has been quite a matured knock from the youngster and today might just be the game where he unleashes his full might. No century in this World Cup so far, can the Prince this start count?

4, 6 to welcome Ferguson!

A good batting surface and Gill has decode to awaken his inner beast. He loves pace on the ball and Ferguson is providing him with just that. The new poster boy of Indian cricket is etching closer to the 50-run mark

Seems like Collins need to invent a new word in their dictionary - RO-BALL! The Indian captain has been a mesmerizing player to watch throughout the tournament.

ROHITTTT DEPARTS!!!

He was playing a sublime innings, but Southee foxes him with a slower one. Rohit once again departs in the nervous 40s. Off-cutter and he miscues the heave as Kane Williamson takes a stunning backward diving catch.

Now that is some way to describe RO-HIT!

Milestone alert!

Another stat on your way!

Virat Kohli becomes the first Indian player to feature in 4 ODI World Cup semis!

Rohit makes history!

Rohit Sharma has hit 50 ODI World Cup sixes. He has surpassed Chris Gayle in the list of most ODI World Cup sixes, who had 49 to his name.

PS: This was the first maximum of the knockouts!

Mighty from Rohit Sharma

First six off the match, Rohit judges the length early and dances down the track. Ge charges down the track and lifts it over the covers fielder and it sails into the stands. This is a real statement from the Indian captain. 87 M! A wide follows up, India are at 25 after 3 overs.

Shubman Gill joins the party!

Another good over for the host nation, eight runs off it. Four boundaries so far. Two coming off Rohit's blade and two from Shubman Gill's bat. IND - 18/0 after 2.

INDIA OFF TO A FLYER!!!

A brace and two boundaries off the over. Rohit Sharma has given Men in Blue a staggering start. 10 runs coming off the first over.

ICYMI: David Beckham will in the crowd at Wankhede for India vs New Zealand semifinal clash!

Toss Time

Both the captains are in the centre and we are moments away from the coin flip. INDIA HAVE WON THE TOSS AND THEY WILL BAT FIRST! Both teams have made no changes to the team. 

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Lokesh Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

ODI stats at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai:

Total matches played: 27
Team won batting first: 14
Team won batting second: 13

Breaking! Security Tightened At Wankhede

Mumbai Police ramped up security measures at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, following a threat from an unidentified individual.

Fans have started to gather outside Wankhede Stadium!

Hang around folks, the buildup to this riveting contest will continue!

Can India break the Kiwi jinx?

Team Previews (NZ)

From New Zealand's perspective, it's the most critical game of the tournament. Not just because a defeat sends them home but since a victory would bring them back into contention after facing doom and gloom from outside noises about their chances following a disappointing four-match losing streak.

Kane Williamson & company began in high spirits by suppressing four oppositions on the bounce but fell down on earth over the following two weeks, requiring a huge victory over the struggling Sri Lankans to reach the top 4.

Neither the batting unit has been short of runs amid the presence of numero uno Rachin Ravindra (565 runs), Daryl Mitchell (418) and Devon Conway (359) nor the bowling attack lacked substance with Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult taking 10, 16 and 13 wickets, respectively.

Team Previews (India)

Most comprehensive of triumphs against the Netherlands in Bangalore helped India retain their mighty winning juggernaut and climb up to 9-0 in an astonishing run into the semifinal round. Rohit Sharma & company have been playing an extravagant and enterprising brand of cricket to underline their tag as massive trophy contenders.

Their batting unit has been packing the strongest punch collectively while their bowling attack has been running through opposition line-ups with remarkable ease and cruelty. India, however, need to revert the trend of faltering at the last hurdle by continuing in the rich vein of form and batter the Kiwis with another statement victory. 

While the legendary duo of Rohit and Kohli have helped India ace the new-ball phase and instill great solidity in the batting line-up with 503 and 594 runs, respectively, stalwarts Shami, Jadeja and Bumrah have been running through opposition sides and taken 16, 16 and 17 wickets apiece.

The D-Day has arrived! It's the first semi-finals of the World Cup 2023, and no prizes for guessing, the two teams, who will contest it. An underrated rivalry returns to the Wankhede stadium as India take on New Zealand in a mouth-watering prospect.