There remains a heavy cloud cover but despite rain threats looming, the toss took place at the scheduled time.
It was never in doubt, and probably only a matter of when than if for star India batter Virat Kohli, who now occupies the highest pedal in ODI cricket.
India legend Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at critics who claimed that the pitch of the first World Cup semifinal between hosts India and New Zealand had been changed without the consent of the ICC and at the behest of the BCCI.
While South Africa insist they will not be burdened by scarring from their chequered record in World Cup knockout matches, Australia are counting on having experienced World Cup winners giving them a boost when the two old rivals face off in a much-anticipated semifinal in Kolkata on Thursday.
"A lot of people believe that this could be the year that we see ourselves in the final," Bavuma, who remains doubtful to play the semi-final due his hamstring injury, told reporters.
India, who Williamson described as a "blue machine", defeated his side by 70 runs in Mumbai on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final.
Shami all but ended the chase with two wickets in three balls during the 33rd over.
India’s Virat Kohli struck a record 50th hundred and fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s seven-wicket haul proved equally crucial as the unbeaten hosts overpowered New Zealand by 70 runs in a high-scoring match yesterday to march into the World Cup final.
The World Cup semifinal between India and New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday was being played on a used pitch, sparking concerns the tournament hosts had tried to manipulate conditions in their favour.
There remains a heavy cloud cover but despite rain threats looming, the toss took place at the scheduled time.
It was never in doubt, and probably only a matter of when than if for star India batter Virat Kohli, who now occupies the highest pedal in ODI cricket.
India legend Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at critics who claimed that the pitch of the first World Cup semifinal between hosts India and New Zealand had been changed without the consent of the ICC and at the behest of the BCCI.
While South Africa insist they will not be burdened by scarring from their chequered record in World Cup knockout matches, Australia are counting on having experienced World Cup winners giving them a boost when the two old rivals face off in a much-anticipated semifinal in Kolkata on Thursday.
"A lot of people believe that this could be the year that we see ourselves in the final," Bavuma, who remains doubtful to play the semi-final due his hamstring injury, told reporters.
India, who Williamson described as a "blue machine", defeated his side by 70 runs in Mumbai on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final.
Shami all but ended the chase with two wickets in three balls during the 33rd over.
The World Cup semifinal between India and New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday was being played on a used pitch, sparking concerns the tournament hosts had tried to manipulate conditions in their favour.
India’s Virat Kohli struck a record 50th hundred and fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s seven-wicket haul proved equally crucial as the unbeaten hosts overpowered New Zealand by 70 runs in a high-scoring match yesterday to march into the World Cup final.
Tendulkar was effusive in his praise of Kohli.