Ten down, one to go. The Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. All that remains for India to be World Champions.
The template had been laid out. An aggressive start from the skipper, a platform for Kohli to build from, and fierce stroke play from a fiery middle order. Trent Boult is generally outstanding in the powerplay, but when Rohit Sharma flamboyantly charged him down in a World Cup knockout clash, the skipper's attitude was clear.
In the first over itself, Boult was nonchalantly dispatched with a whip over midwicket and a monstrous drive through cover. He would add three sixes to go two past Chris Gayle's record for the most World Cup sixes and most in a single World Cup: 49 and 26. The hitman flirted with danger but beat the fielder nearly every time. Pace off from the experienced Tim Southee, and Kane Williamson grabbed an absolute stunner to dismiss the dangerous Indian skipper. But with a thunderous 47, the platform was set.
For India, from ball one the intent was evident, and with every wicket the aggression remained. With Rohit dismissed, India's young superstar, Shubman Gill, took on the mantle. A fine innings, marked by some trademark swivel pull shots. Gill unfortunately began to cramp, but in came Shreyas Iyer at 164 for one. It was Iyer who moved the innings up a gear, pummelling the ball continuously straight back over the bowler's head. With a bat swing so gorgeous to watch, he powered to consecutive centuries, this one just off 67 balls. A magnificent innings adorned by a barrage of sixes and supported in the end by KL Rahul.
However, Virat Kohli will once again be framed as the key protagonist. And rightfully so. The 15th of November will forever be remembered as the occasion Kohli reached his 50th one day international century, surpassing the record of a man so adored, the legend himself, Sachin Tendulkar. At Wankhede, where the torch was metaphorically passed 12 years ago with Tendulkar on his shoulders, with Sachin himself in attendance, and his towering statue looming over his Bombay backyard, Virat Kohli's almost supernatural run scoring continued.
When Tendulkar raised his bat on number 49 all those years ago, there was a feeling it would never be surpassed, not at least in this generation. But today, Virat Kohli stands alone, aloft at the summit. And the feeling of achievement will be tinged with a touch of humility for his idol. If there was any question of the label of greatness that cricket finds so irresistible, it was etched into the tableau of cricketing history this evening.
Kohli, under annihilating pressure, built up his innings with composure and class, batting with the controlled brilliance we have come to expect from him. An eight score of 50-plus took Kohli's average to 101.57 this tournament, who claimed the most runs scored by in a single edition of the World Cup, once again surpassing Tendulkar. Having finally achieved a significant score in a World Cup knockout game, a faint blemish to his awe-inspiring career was erased.
When Hardik Pandya limped off, nobody could have expected such flamboyant performances. Not only did it bring Mohammed Shami into the limelight, but secured the positions of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who have delivered in handfuls. Today, the spin trio of Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Philips failed to exploit the conditions, and every Kiwi pacer looked off the pace, perhaps due to energy sapping Mumbai heat that enveloped the stadium in the first innings.
With 397 on the board, the highest total in a World Cup knockout match, a more than formidable Indian bowling attack and a roaring Wankhede crowd, India's place in the final seemed a foregone conclusion. Almost.
Devon Conway began with some aggression, driving through the covers with ease. But when Jasprit Bumrah gave way to Mohammed Shami, he toyed with the left-handed opening partnership and once again claimed a first-ball scalp. Rachin Ravindra, the young starlet whose name has been chanted around India, was taunted by Shami's craft, and succumbed to another edge.
Then came the ominous partnership of Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson, and the Black Caps had a glimmer of hope chasing down what would surely be the greatest batting feat in ODI history. With Williamson's experience and Mitchell's muscular orthodox hitting, a delicate partnership of power and guile flourished.
With the New Zealand duo dominating, a hushed silence descended over the rampant sea of blue. But once again India's hero shone. Some will say an unlikely hero, but Mohammed Shami's quality is unquestionable. Williamson's flick fell a yard short, and Wankhede went delirious.
That surely was the turning point. Tom Latham was castled two balls later and suddenly, India's feeling of indefatigability returned. A quick-fire knock from Glenn Phillips ended at the hands of Jasprit Bumrah, and then the wickets tumbled.
A sublime knock from Daryl Mitchell ultimately in vain, but his contribution of two centuries in two innings against India should not be so easily forgotten. For Mohammed Shami, a spectacular seven, including the entire New Zealand top four. Alongside two fifers and 23 wickets in total, Shami has been the firestarter in this bowling attack. It was a bold Kiwi chase in pursuit of a staggering total, but on a still, heavy day in Bombay, India closed the game out.
Revenge some will say, for 2019, but India's march to 10 consecutive wins have brought with it an air of inevitability. The Men in Blue have been the standout team of the tournament, impeccably balanced and dangerous in every department. India are one step away from possibly the most dominant World Cup campaign, with an average victory margin of 175 runs, 6.4 wickets and 64.4 balls remaining.
And so, 397 plays 327, and India roll onto a final that has always seemed to be the endgame at their home tournament. Whether it is Australia or South Africa in the final, they would need a performance of their lifetimes to halt India repeating the glory of 2011.
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