World Cup 2019 India vs New Zealand Semifinal: New Zealand enter final; India eliminated

Before the semi-final clash between India and New Zealand, many former commentators and cricketing analysts were congratulating Virat Kohli’s Indian cricket team. No one had given New Zealand a chance. In a rain-affected semi-final which saw it being played for two days, fortunes fluctuated. Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson slammed fifties and New Zealand huffed and puffed their way to 239/8. Many cricketing analysts had slammed the nature of the Old Trafford wicket, with former Australia skipper Steve Waugh saying that a total of 240 was par. However, New Zealand have always punched above their weight in World Cups. Matt Henry took out Rohit Sharma for 1, denting his prospects of becoming the leading run-getter in an edition. Trent Boult got rid of Virat Kohli for 1 with an inswinger. India were reduced to 5/3. With Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul falling cheaply, suddenly it seemed there was a match on the cards.

19:44 hrs IST: That's it from us. Hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as we did to bring this to you. Do join us for the second semi-final as England play Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Till then, it's tada from Vedant and Siddharth. It will be a long night for all of us. 

19:33 hrs IST: Matt Henry was awarded as the man-of-the-match. 

19:24 hrs IST: So it's all over! India is eliminated from World Cup 2019. New Zealand enter World Cup finals for the second time in row. Both Jadeja and Dhoni played their heart out, but fell short by 18 runs. 

19:21 hrs IST: WICKET! Knocked him over. New Zealand is one wicket away from entering World Cup 2019 final. 

19:19 hrs IST: WICKET! Dhoni gets run out after scoring fifty!

19:13 hrs IST: India need 31 runs off 12 deliveries to make it to finals. 

19:11 hrs IST: WICKET! Boult bowls a slower one and bat turns in Jadeja's hand. Kane Williamson didn't do any mistake. Seventh wicket down. India need something special from MS Dhoni. 

19:07 hrs IST: India need 37 runs from last 18 balls. After 47 overs, it's 203/6. 

18:59 hrs IST: 100-run stand between Jadeja and Dhoni. And two need to continue if India fancy their chances to play World Cup 2019 Final. After 46 overs, it's 198/6. 10 came off the over. 

18:56 hrs IST: A sensational boundary from Jadeja's bat. This is turning out to be an exceptional innings. After 45 overs, it's 188/6. 

18:51 hrs IST: So the equation has come down to 62 off 36 balls. Seven runs from the over. After 44 overs, it's 178/6. 

18:46 hrs IST: Three singles from the over. After 43 overs, it's 171/6. 

18:40 hrs IST: FIFTY! What an innings this has been from Ravindra Jadeja. Came at a time when India needed the most. His 11th ODI fifty! After 42 overs, 168/6. 

18:36 hrs IST: Another delightful shot from Ravindra Jadeja. Nine came off the over. After 41 overs, it's 159/6. 

18:32 hrs IST: 150-up for India and Jadeja and Dhoni are still there. After 40 overs, it's 150/6. India need 90 off 60.

18:27 hrs IST: 50-run partnership between Jadeja and Dhoni. 

18:26 hrs IST: Second six from Jadeja and 10 came off the over. After 39 overs, it's 141/6. 

18:23 hrs IST: A boundary and single from Jadeja's willow. After 38 overs, it's 131/6. 

18:18 hrs IST: Another sensational over from Mitchell Santner. Runs are just not coming for India at the moment. After 37 overs, it's 126/6. 

18:15 hrs IST: Four runs from the over and after 36 overs, it's 123/6. 

18:09 hrs IST: Six runs from Santner's over and the partnership between two stands 27. After 35 overs, it's 119/6. 

18:07 hrs IST: Eight runs from the over. A boundary came off the over too. After 34 overs, it's 113/6. 

17:59 hrs IST: First six for team India - came from Ravindra Jadeja's bat. After 33 overs, it's 106/6. 

17:57 hrs IST: The required run rate is ticking over 8 now. India is on the verge of a disappointing exit unless we see something special from MS Dhoni. After 32 overs, it's  97/6. 

17:52 hrs IST: Two runs and a wicket. After 31 overs, it's 94/6. 

17:47 hrs IST: WICKET! Santner tossed the ball up and Hardik Pandya tried to smash it over the long on fielder but couldn't. Sixth wicket down. New Zealand are four wickets away from entering Finals. 

17:45 hrs IST: The first 30 overs belong to New Zealand. They have been able to keep Indian batsmen on backfoot. After 30 overs, it's 92/5. 

17:40 hrs IST: Couple of runs from Mahendra Singh Dhoni's willow. After 29 overs, it's 85/5. 

17:37 hrs IST: One run from the over. Both batsmen are taking their time in middle. After 28 overs, it's 83/5.

17:33 hrs IST: Just two runs from the over. After 27 overs, it's 82/5.

17:30 hrs IST: Three runs from the over and one hasto say that runs are just not coming at the moment. India need something special. After 26 overs, it's 80/5. 

17:27 hrs IST: The first 25 overs are done and dusted and New Zealand is right on top. Two runs from the over. After 25 overs, it's 77/5. 

17:24 hrs IST: So MS Dhoni has now come to the crease. It is becoming difficult for India to even play full quota of 50 overs. After 24 overs, it's 75/5. 

17:17 hrs IST: WICKET! Mitchell Santner tossed the ball up and Rishabh Pant tried to clear middle-order fielder - but couldn't. India lose half-side. 

17:14 hrs IST: One came off the over and India see themselves at 71 runs for the loss of 4 wickets after 22 overs. 

17:10 hrs IST: MAIDEN OVER! Mitchell Santner starts with a maiden over. After 21 overs, it's 70/4. 

17:05 hrs IST: Jimmy Neesham replaces Colin de Grandhomme into the attack. After 20 overs, it's 70/4. And now we will be having a full game. 

17:02 hrs IST: Just two runs from the over and New Zealand bowlers are not letting the batsmen top open their arms. After 19 overs, it's 62/4. 

16:57 hrs IST: Good over for India. Ones and twos - and nine came off the over. After 18 overs, it's 60/4. 

16:52 hrs IST: 50-up for India. It took them almost 17 overs to achieve this feat. After 17 overs, it's 51/4. 

16:47 hrs IST: Colin de Grandhomme replaced Matt Henry into the attack and starts off with a decent over, giving mere four runs. After 16 overs, it's 47/4. 

16:41 hrs IST: Just one run from the over and it's time for DRINKS! After 15 overs, it's 43/4. 

16:37 hrs IST: Five runs from the over and Henry completes his seven overs. After 14 overs, it's 42/4. 

16:32 hrs IST: Lockie Ferguson came into the attack and showed his class starightaway. Just two runs from the over. After 13 overs,  it's 37/4. 

16:30 hrs IST: DROPPED! Neesham drops Pant on 18. 

16:28 hrs IST: It has been a clinical first spell from Matt Henry. Three wickets for 18 runs. After 12 overs, it's 35/4. 

16:24 hrs IST: Hardik Pandya off the mark with a boundary. After 11 overs, it's 30/4. 

16:18 hrs IST: The first 10 overs belong to New Zealand. They have been able to stamp their authority in the initial overs and have put Indian team on backfoot. With Rohit, Rahul, Kohli, Karthik back to the pavilion, it's important for Pant to play till the end. After 10 overs, it's 24/4. 

16:14 hrs IST: It took Dinesh Karthik 21 deliveries to open his account. Even then, six came off the over. After 9 overs, it's 19/3. 

16:09 hrs IST: Three runs from Henry's over - all from Pant's willow. After 8 overs, it's 13/3. 

16:05 hrs IST: MAIDEN OVER! It's been 16 deliveries from Dinesh Karthik, and he is yet to open his account. Another maiden over as Indian team see themselves at 10/3 after 7 overs. 

16:04 hrs IST: STAT ALERT: The last time both Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma got dismissed for a single figure score before today - vs Pakistan in the CT 2017 final

16:02 hrs IST: A boundary of the over and Rishabh Pant left the remaining balls. India enter double digits. After 6 overs, it's 10/3. 

15:58 hrs IST: A single and five dot balls. Both Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant are taking their time in the middle, which from a distance looks good. After 5 overs, it's 6/3. 

15:53 hrs IST: MAIDEN OVER! This has been an exceptional start from New Zealand. No run and a wicket. After 4 overs, it's 5/3. 

15:50 hrs IST: WICKET! Another wicket down. It has been a clinical start for New Zealand. Three wickets in no time. Top-three back to the pavilion. After 3.1 overs, it's 5/3. 

15:44 hrs IST: WICKET! Trapped right in front and India under trouble. Two wickets in four balls. Oh dear! India under trouble. Trent Boult picks his first wicket. After 2.4 overs, it's 5/2. 

15:42 hrs IST: A wicket and three runs from the over. After 2 overs, it's 5/1.

15:40 hrs IST: WICKET! Rohit Sharma tried to play away from his body and gets a slight nip went through to the keeper. Matt Henry provides first breakthrough. After 1.3 overs, it's 4/1. 

15:36 hrs IST: Some lateral movement early in chase as the Indian team manage couple of runs from the first over. Both batsmen are off the mark. After 1 over, it's 2/0. 

15:31 hrs IST: After 10 minutes break, the action begins. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are out in the middle. Trent Boult will take the new ball. Here we go! 

15:21 hrs IST: New Zealand's innings has finally ended after 20 hours. They have ended on 239/8. The target for India will be 240. Clear skies, slow wicket. Tricky chase on the cards but advantage India.

15:16 hrs IST: WICKET! Bhuvneshwar Kumar takes his third. Mitchell Santner slams a four but Henry in the process of quick runs, holes out to long on. New Zealand are 232/8 in 49 overs.

15:10 hrs IST: WICKETS! Brilliant stuff from Ravindra Jadeja. He is totally changing the game. He effects a brilliant run-out of Ross Taylor with a direct hit for 74 and Latham holes out next ball off Bhuvneshwar Kumar as New Zealand stumble. New Zealand are 225/7 in the 49th over.

15:03 hrs IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar nails a couple of yorkers but Taylor and Latham make good progress. New Zealand are 217/5 after 47 overs.

14:57 hrs IST: Out come the Indian players and we are set to resume. Ross Taylor holds the key for New Zealand.

14:50 hrs IST: There is some confusion on the duration of the innings break. It will depend on the New Zealand innings. Confirmed, it will be a 10-minute break.

14:36 hrs IST: There are blue skies and the sun is out currently in Manchester. This is great news. One hopes that the rain does not come at least for close to 4-5 hours.

14:30 hrs IST: In case, the rain comes down after 20 overs of India's chase, it will be constituted as a result. Finally, the hope is that there is a result which puts one team to the final rather than a rain interruption.

14:27 hrs IST: Once again here are the rules. If the game gets washed out today, then India will go through to the semi-final. In case it is raining, then all efforts will be made for a 20-over game. No super over.

14:17 hrs IST: If the New Zealand innings finish in 3.5 overs, will there be a 40-minute break for lunch? Nope, it will only be 10 minutes.

14:12 hrs IST: Fans and organisers will be hoping that there is enough play for at least India to play 20 overs so that it can constitute a game. If India go through to the final due to a rain interruption, the feeling will be pretty hollow. By the way, the weather in Edgbaston for the second semi-final between England and Australia is also iffy.

14:02 hrs IST: The hourly weather forecast says there will be no rain until 4:00 PM local time. One hopes that the match does not go that long.

13:50 hrs IST: If there is no rain, then the advantage will be with India. In case of a truncated match, the advantage will be with New Zealand. So far, according to the current weather, does not look like a truncated game at least for now.

13:32 hrs IST: Live visuals from the ground show that there is NO RAIN. That is a good sign. There are no covers on the outfield.

13:30 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the match between India and New Zealand. No, this is no longer an one-day international. It is a two-day international, with the rain forcing the semi-final to go into the reserve day. The forecast is currently dry and one hopes that the rain stays away.