Champions Trophy: India set up semi-final against Australia

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP):

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy did most of the damage as India beat New Zealand by 44 runs yesterday to win Group A and set up a Champions Trophy semi-final match against Australia.

Chakravarthy took 5-42 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, his first five-wicket haul in only his second one-day international.

"The senior players helped me and, as the game went on, I felt better," Chakravarthy said. "I am not a big turner (of the ball) but if you bowled in the right areas, there was help from the surface."

Kuldeep Yadav took 2-56, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel took a wicket each, as India's four-spinner attack shared nine wickets between them. New Zealand were bowled out for 205 runs in 45.3 overs after Shreyas Iyer earlier scored 79 runs off 98 balls to anchor India to a competitive 249-9 in 50 overs.

India won all three group games and will play Australia in the first semi-final tomorrow, also in Dubai.

New Zealand face Group B winners South Africa in the second semi-final on Wednesday in Lahore, Pakistan.

Sensational catch ends Kohli knock

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl and India got off to a poor start - Rohit Sharma was out caught for 15, while Matt Henry trapped in-form Shubman Gill leg before wicket for two.

It became 30-3 as Kohli was caught at backward point for 11 when Glenn Phillips took a sensational one-handed flying catch.

Iyer came to India's rescue as he put on 98 runs off 136 balls for the fourth wicket with Patel.

Patel scored a calm 42 off 61 balls, further strengthening his position as a reliable middle-order batter. He hit three fours and a six.

Spin show

New Zealand's chase was anchored by Kane Williamson. The former skipper top-scored with 81 off 120 balls, hitting seven fours.

But the Indian spin on a slow, two-paced pitch was too much to handle for the Black Caps. Pandya got rid of Ravindra early - for just six.

Chakravarthy picked up his first wicket when he bowled Will Young for 22 runs.

Williamson put on 44 with Daryl Mitchell (17), and then another 40 with Tom Latham (14).