India booked a place in the final of the tri-nation series after defeating New Zealand by 105 runs in the sixth one-day international match at the Rangiri International Stadium here Wednesday.
With the win India moved onto 10 points from their four matches and will face Sri Lanka, who have 11 points, in Saturday’s final.
Virender Sehwag smashed a 93-ball 110, his 13th ODI century, that lifted India from a precarious 66 for four to 223 all out in 46.3 overs.
In reply, New Zealand were all out for 118 runs in 30.1 overs with fast bowler Kyle Mills emerging as the top scorer with 52 runs.
India’s medium pacer Praveen Kumar grabbed three early wickets and Munaf Patel bagged three for 21 as New Zealand slumped from 22 for four in the ninth over to 53 for eight in the 23rd over.
Mills then came up with an entertaining half century, but it couldn’t save New Zealand from getting bowled out for their lowest ODI score against India.
Early in the day, New Zealand paceman Southee (4-49) and off-spinner Nathan McCullum (3-35) did well to reduce India to 66 for four.
Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina all failed to get to double-figures, but Sehwag and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (38) shared a 107-run stand for the fifth wicket to take India to 223.