New Zealand beat India by 18 runs to reach the final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. It was the Black Caps' second final in as many years in their cricket history - the only two times they have reached the final - even as India exited CWC 2019 despite finishing the league phase on top of the points standings. Virat Kohli's men were the pre-tournament favourites and were tipped to comfortably beat New Zealand to reach the final. IND vs NZ Highlights of Semi-Final Match.

Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni tried with a century-run partnership for the eighth wicket, but that proved futile in the end as New Zealand replied with wickets in crucial junctures of the game. India's premature exit from CWC 2019 also sparked the ongoing rumours of Dhoni's possible retirement from international cricket. Ravindra Jadeja Scores First ODI Half-Century Since 2014 During IND vs NZ Semi-Final Encounter in CWC 2019.

Jadeja top-scored for India with a brilliant 77 from just 59 deliveries, which included four fours and sixes each. Dhoni also completed his half-century but their wickets in quick succession killed India's chances of mounting any comeback in the match. India were just 32 runs away from a win when Williamson caught Jadeja at mid-on in the 48th over before Martin Guptill ran Dhoni out with a terrific throw four balls later.

But Kane Williamson's boys - powered by some terrific opening spells from Trent Boult and Matt Henry coupled some amazing bowling from Mitchell Santner - held on their nerves to clinch the victory.

Henry and Boult landed the heavy early blows removing India's top-three - India's three highest run-getters - to leave the pre-tournament favourites reeling at 5/3 inside three overs. Openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul departed to similar deliveries from Matt Henry after making just one run each. Kohli couldn't last longer and departed for the same score after Trent Boult set him up with a tremendous spell of seam bowling.

Earlier, Bhuvneswar Kumar took 3/43, while Jadeja showed tremendous fielding skills as India restricted New Zealand to 239 runs for eight in 50 overs. The Black Caps’ innings – that never seemed to end – was interrupted by incessant rainfall leaving the game to be postponed to reserve day.

Ross Taylor top scored for the Kiwis with a vital 74 from 90 deliveries, which included three fours and a six. Skipper Kane Williamson also registered his fourth half-century of CWC 2019 – taking him past Martin Guptill as New Zealand highest run-scorer in a single edition of the World Cup – but the total still looked too few for an illustrious Indian batting-line up led by Kohli. No batsmen other than Guptill and Williamson could manage in excess of 30 giving India a 240-run target for a place in the semi-final.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2019 07:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).