ICC Cricket World Cup: Shami's incredible seven-power, and Kohli's record-breaking ton India advances to the final

In a high-scoring encounter on Wednesday, the undefeated hosts defeated New Zealand by 70 runs to advance to the World Cup final. Virat Kohli scored a record 50th century, and Mohammed Shami's seven wicket haul proved equally significant.

From the stands, Tendulkar witnessed as Kohli broke his own record, exactly ten years after the Indian legend's last Test match at the same location.

During the innings break, Kohli remarked, "Honestly, this feels like a dream."

"It seems too good to be real." It seems fanciful.

"I never imagined that my career would take me here."

After winning the toss, India amassed 397 for four wickets thanks to the explosive 105 from Shreyas Iyer and Kohli's 117 at the Wankhede Stadium, the site of the hosts' second and final 50-over World Cup victory in 2011. 

By scoring 117 from 107 balls in India's 397-4, Kohli broke compatriot Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs in a single World Cup and increased his haul to 711 for the tournament. Tendulkar had amassed 49 ODI hundreds.

India's innings, which saw Shreyas Iyer smash 105 off just 70 deliveries, was the highest in a World Cup knockout match for cricket. However, Daryl Mitchell (134 off 119 balls) and Kane Williamson (69) combined to put on 181 from 39-2, giving New Zealand a chance to surpass it.

Daryl Mitchell responded with a classy 134 (119), the highest score in the World Cup semi-finals, to keep New Zealand in the game, but the 2019 finalists were unable to reach the 398-run target. With a seven-wicket haul, Indian seamer Mohammed Shami tore through the opposition's top order, and Kuldeep Yadav's outstanding death bowling ensured there would be no late comeback.

India won the competition for the tenth time in a row. The hosts will play either Australia or South Africa in Sunday's Ahmedabad final.