New Zealand reached their second successive World Cup final after dramatically toppling India by 18 runs.
Star batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli misfired at Old Trafford, India's top three making just one apiece, as they lurched to 24 for four and then 92 for six chasing 240 on the reserve day of the semi-final.
Ravindra Jadeja's swashbuckling 77 from 59 balls gave India a fleeting hope but he departed with 32 required off 13 balls before Mahendra Singh Dhoni was run out for 50 from 72 deliveries as the Asian giants were skittled for 221 from 49.3 overs.
The Kiwis will face England or Australia in Sunday's showpiece at Lord's after successfully defending 239 for eight, their watchful approach on Tuesday vindicated following India's struggles.
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India's top-order struggles meant the pressure was on Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya to consolidate, a quality not usually associated with two star talents more renowned for their big-hitting. They survived some nervy moments but the pressure was on when Mitch Santner came into the attack. Just one run was added off 16 balls before Rishabh cracked, swinging at the slow left armer to deep midwicket, where Colin De Grandhomme took the catch.
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Quote of the day
The India captain pinpointed their top-order collapse as the major contributory factor for their semi-final defeat.
The 500 (and above) club
Sachin record still standing – for now
Rohit became the first man to register five centuries at a single World Cup last weekend while the chance to take one of Sachin Tendulkar's records was within his grasp when he came to the crease at the start of India's innings. On 647 runs, the opener, a centurion in each of his previous three knocks, had the chance to overtake the Little Master's haul of 673 from 2003. But he feathered an edge behind to depart for one off four balls. Australia opener David Warner could yet take the benchmark for himself – he is only 35 adrift heading into his side's match against England.
Stat's all folks
Matt Henry and Trent Boult delivered a superb display of new-ball bowling. Henry accounted for India openers Rohit and KL Rahul, either side of Boult trapping India captain Kohli in front, a decision upheld on review. All of India's top three had contributed only a single – a scenario that would have seemed far-fetched at the start of the innings.
Top of the shots
At international level, Jadeja is renowned for his penetrating left-arm spin and athletic fielding, an attribute that saw him regularly used as a substitute during most of the group stages. He has a Test hundred to his name, but at 92 for si India's prospects looked bleak, only for Jadeja to take the attack to New Zealand's bowlers. His dance down the track to club Jimmy Neesham over long-on was a thing of beauty. His all-round contribution in this match – he also took one for 34 from 10 overs, ran out Taylor with a direct hit in the deep and pouched a fine catch – meant he did not deserve to be on the losing side. On reaching his half-century, he seemed to continue his spat with Indian pundit Sanjay Manjrekar, who had labelled him as a "bits and pieces player" beforehand.
Guptill a gun in the field
Martin Guptill may have contributed just one with the bat, his fifth single-figure score in his last seven innings, but his stellar work in the field may just see him retain his place. With Jadeja back in the pavilion, India's hopes rested entirely on Dhoni, whose shoulders had just started to loosen. The veteran had flicked Lockie Ferguson backwards of square and chanced a second against the arm of Guptill. It was a mistake. The veteran was out for 50 after the Kiwi threw down the stumps and India's hopes vanished.
What's next?
July 11: Australia v England at Edgbaston
