Cricket World Cup 2019: India captain Virat Kohli says Blackcaps defeat broke hearts

India captain Virat Kohli says 45 minutes of "bad cricket" ultimately led to their demise against the Blackcaps, as New Zealand claimed a famous World Cup semi-final win at Old Trafford.

India headed into the knockout match as huge favourites, but crumbled to an 18-run defeat, as excellent bowling from the Blackcaps propelled them to victory.

Defending 239/8, New Zealand quicks Matt Henry and Trent Boult blew away India's star-studded top order, including Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the tournament's leading scorer, reducing them to 5/3 inside four overs.

"Of course, we're very disappointed," said Kohli.

"We've played outstanding cricket throughout this tournament. To just go out on the basis of 45 minutes of bad cricket is saddening.

"It breaks your heart also, because you worked so hard throughout the tournament to build momentum   

"You finish number one in the table, and then a spell of bad cricket and you're out of the tournament - but you have to accept it."

The match was forced into a reserve day, as rain hampered play on Tuesday, when New Zealand were 211/5 with 23 balls left in the innings.

When play resumed the following day, New Zealand added 28 runs to their overnight score from 23 balls to set India 240 for victory and Kohli felt confident his team would chase down the target required.

"We thought we had restricted New Zealand to a total, which was quite chaseable on any surface, but the way they came out and they bowled in that first half an hour really was the difference in the game.

"We felt that we had the momentum and the right mindset, but the credit has to go to the New Zealand bowlers, because with the new ball, I thought they were outstanding.

"It made life very difficult for the batsmen."

Kohli said the team would emerge stronger from the setback.

"It's happened to us before and we have all come out better cricketers because of the setbacks, especially at a stage like World Cup," he added.   

"But having said that, we have qualified to the semis and have played some really good cricket, so we should be also proud of the way we played."

The Blackcaps will face the winners of the second semi-final between England and Australia in Sunday's final at Lord's.

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