NEW DELHI: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has praised India's record-breaking batsman Virat Kohli as "the best" in the world and warned India's opponents that the superstar is "getting better."
India, dubbed the "blue machine" by Williamson, trounced his team by 70 runs in Mumbai on Wednesday to storm into the ICC ODI World Cup final.
India amassed 397/4, with Kohli scoring his 50th one-day international century before being removed for 117 and Shreyas Iyer making 105.
Under the Wankhede Stadium floodlights, Mohammed Shami took a remarkable 7-57 as New Zealand, the losing finalists in the last two World Cups and India's 2019 semi-final conquerors, were bowled out for 327.
Williamson, a world-class batsman in his own right, paid respect to Kohli, who broke Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI hundreds as the India great watched from the stands at his old home field.
"That's something quite special, I think if you play 50 games, some people would call that a great career," said Williamson. "But to get 50 hundreds...and not just that, actually the way he goes about it, it's actually about winning games for his team."
"I mean he's the best, isn't he? And he seems to be getting better, which is a worry for the opposition all around the world," the 33-year-old New Zealand skipper added.
Shami attacked throughout the innings on his way to the best figures by a bowler in a World Cup semi-final. He also ended a threatening third-wicket partnership of 181 between Daryl Mitchell (134) and Williamson (69) when the Black Caps skipper was caught at deep square leg.
"That blue machine keeps rolling and they were too good for us today...They thoroughly deserve their win," said Williamson.
1/10:Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami star as India reach World Cup final
AFP
2/10:Virat Kohli's record-breaking century
Virat Kohli scored his 50th one-day international hundred, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record, with a knock of 117.AP
3/10:Mohammed Shami's sensational bowling
Mohammed Shami took a sensational seven-wicket haul, including the best figures by an Indian bowler in a World Cup semi-final.AP
4/10:India's commanding total
India posted a commanding total of 397-4, with Shreyas Iyer scoring a rapid 105 and Shubman Gill contributing 80 not out.AFP
5/10:Daryl Mitchell's valiant effort
Daryl Mitchell scored 134, his highest ODI score, but it wasn't enough to secure victory for New Zealand.AFP
6/10:India's unbeaten streak
Team India has won all 10 of their matches in the World Cup so far, aiming for their third title and second on home soil.ANI
7/10:India's chance for redemption
After losing in the semi-finals of the last two World Cups, Team India is determined not to let go of this opportunity for redemption.AFP
8/10:Williamson, Mitchell's partnership
Captain Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell put on a third-wicket partnership of 181 runs to revive New Zealand's chase.AFP
9/10:Shami's crucial wickets
Mohammed Shami took two crucial wickets in the 33rd over, dismissing Williamson and Latham to dent New Zealand's chances.AFP
10/10:New Zealand's World Cup title drought
New Zealand are still searching for their first men's 50-over World Cup title after their defeat in the semi-finals.PTIShami's return to India playing eleven, due to an injury to all-rounder Hardik Pandya, propelled him to the top of the tournament bowling charts with 23 wickets, despite missing the first four games.
"He (Shami) has been incredible," said Williamson. "He's coming on first change, behind two outstanding new ball bowlers (Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj).
"He's without a doubt one of the top operators in the world and the way he moves the ball and he keeps bringing the stumps into play. It's been quite phenomenal really, the amount of wickets he's gotten in such a small amount of games in this tournament."
India, unbeaten in ten games, will now face either Australia or South Africa in the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
"They're the best team in the world and they're all playing their best cricket," said Williamson. "The way they've played throughout this tournament has been incredible. They haven't missed a beat...I've got no doubt they'll go into that next match full of confidence."
(With inputs from AFP)
