India have moved to the brink of qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-finals with a six-wicket victory over New Zealand.
Both teams went into the contest in Dharamsala having won each of their opening four matches of the tournament at a time when their rivals have either been inconsistent or under-performed.
Daryl Mitchell made 130 as New Zealand set India a target of 274, but a 95 from Virat Kohli helped the hosts chase down that total with 12 balls to spare.
After winning the toss, India made immediate inroads into the New Zealand batting lineup, with Devon Conway being dismissed for a duck and Will Young departing for 17.
The Black Caps were 19-2 off 8.1 overs, yet they managed to deliver an excellent response through Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell, who put on 159 for the third wicket.
Ravindra made 75 from 87, but his exit from the crease led to a chain of wickets that saw just one other New Zealand - Glenn Phillips (23) - make it into double figures.
Mitchell kept the innings ticking over, though, and a knock of 130 came from 127 deliveries before he departed from the penultimate ball of the innings, New Zealand being bowled out for 273.
Sensational stuff from Daryl Mitchell, his highest ODI score! 👏 pic.twitter.com/fgdrV3mY9d
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 22, 2023
Mohammed Shami had been the star of the show with the ball, recording figures of 5-54, and the platform had been sent for India'a batsmen to take centre stage.
An opening stand of 71 from 67 balls got India off to a strong start, and they reached 128-3 off just 21.1 overs as Rohit Sharma (46), Shubman Gill (26) and Shreyas Iyer (33) all chipped away at the target.
However, it was Kohli's 95 that made the difference with eight fours and two sixes coming from a disciplined innings, KL Rahul (27) and Ravindra Jadeja (39*) complementing their main man.
India already sit six points ahead of fifth-placed Pakistan and a showdown with defending champions England is next on their schedule.
Darren Plant
