India's dream run: Five on the trot and a foot in the semi-final

Shami grabs five and Kohli hits a brilliant 95 as the hosts beat New Zealand by four wickets in Dharamsala

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DHARAMSALA: It didn't matter that India's in-form openers fell within the space of 13 balls in a challenging run chase. It didn't matter that he was involved in a mix-up with Suryakumar Yadav when India still needed 83 runs for victory with five wickets in hand. It didn't matter that fog caused an unexpected interruption just when he was a few deliveries into his innings.

It didn't matter because Virat Kohli is a one-day colossus, racking up match-winning runs with a steely glint in his eye and stunning grace in his strokes. Kohli's masterclass (95 off 104 balls) against New Zealand at the HPCA Stadium on Sunday helped India chase down 274 with four wickets in hand and two overs to spare.

It means India occupy the top spot in the points table with five wins in as many matches.

Mohammed Shami also played his part with a five-wicket haul as Daryl Mitchell's century for New Zealand went in vain.

That Kohli was out for 95 rather than unbeaten at the end was only down to an attempt to get to his 49th ODI century-it would equal him with Sachin Tendulkar - with a six. With five needed off 16 balls, Kohli even turned down a single to deep square leg.

He had perhaps earned that luxury after a superb HT@ WORL knock in difficult circumgame stances. The seemed to be on a knife's edge when India lost their fifth wicket with 191 runs on the board in 33.5 overs. Kohli may have found himself at fault for it, for he was a bit guilty of ball watching even though Mitchell Santner played his part in Suryakumar's run out with a brilliant stop and quick throw from extra cover.

While others may have harped on it for too long, Kohli reigns supreme in these situations. He stitched together an important 78-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to take India to the cusp of a thrilling win.