JOIN USThe win was India’s fourth of the competition and it took the team’s tally of points to 17 to finish second. They will meet table topper South Africa (36), who thumped Australia by 183 runs to maintain their clean slate, in the final.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra’s four-wicket haul helped India to restrict New Zealand to 246 for nine before Kohli and Badrinath guided them to 247 for five in 44.3 overs.
In reply, India got off to brilliant start with Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (24) adding 48 runs in no time.
India were in a spot of bother when Rahane and Naman Ojha (0) fell in quick succession but the 106-run stand between Kohli and Badrinath steadied the ship.
Brief score: New Zealand Emerging Players: 246/9 in 50 overs (Watling 94, Tarun Nethula 42; Amit Mishra 4-44) lt to India Emerging Players: 247 for 5 in 44.3 overs (Virat Kohli 92, S Badrinath 81 n.o.).