Australia End India's World Cup Reign and More from the 2nd Semi-Final

India's reign as champions has come to an end after Australia recorded a 95-run victory in the second semi-final of the Cricket World Cup.

Steve Smith hit 105 from just 93 balls and Aaron Finch contributed 81 as Michael Clarke's side made 328 for seven after choosing to bat first. 

India's run chase was given an excellent start by Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, only for them to slip from 71 without loss to 108 for four at the SCG in Sydney.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni tried his best to keep his team afloat, making 65, but when he was run out, any slim hope India had of winning disappeared with his dismissal.

Australia will now head to Melbourne to take on fellow tournament hosts New Zealand in Sunday's final.

Shot of the day

From the very outset, Smith—a thorn in India's side throughout their time in Australia—looked destined to make a major contribution with the bat.

He got off the mark immediately with two through backward point, then hit the third ball he faced for the first of 11 fours.

There were also two sixes in his innings, the best of the pair coming when he launched the left-arm spin of Ravindra Jadeja over the rope at mid-wicket.

The delivery from the slow bowler wasn't even that short, yet Smith rocked back in his crease to launch it for a maximum. It was almost as if he had been given prior notice of where the ball was going to land.

Catch of the day

It wasn't a tough chance, particularly not for someone of Glenn Maxwell's abilities, but his catch to dismiss Dhawan was crucial in deciding the outcome of the game.

Along with opening partner Sharma, Dhawan had Australia on the back foot in the early stages of India's innings.

The left-hander had just taken 11 runs off James Faulkner when he opted to go after Josh Hazlewood at the start of the next over.

He timed his aerial drive superbly, yet his delight at the shot quickly disappeared when he realised Maxwell was waiting at deep cover to accept the opportunity.

Delivery of the day

Just two runs after losing Dhawan, India suffered a severe blow in their bid to reach 329 when Virat Kohli was dismissed.

The star batsman had contributed just one run to his team's cause when he opted to go after a bouncer from Mitchell Johnson, resulting in him looping a catch up to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

However, Johnson saved his best delivery of the day for opener Sharma.

Having been pulled away for six the ball before, the left-arm paceman responded impressively with an in-swinger that clipped Sharma's inside edge and crashed into the stumps.

Stat of the day

Asking for a friend

Australia dismissed Ajinkya Rahane when they successfully called for a review for a catch behind the wicket.

The referral was unusual in that neither bowler Starc, wicketkeeper Haddin nor captain Clarke—stationed at slip—mustered an appeal at the time.

Instead, Maxwell and Smith raced in from their positions in front of the wicket to confirm they had heard a noise. Snicko backed up their initial thoughts, meaning Rahane was on his way for 44.

Next at the World Cup

Just one more fixture to go in the tournament, Australia and New Zealand meeting in the final on Sunday.

The trans-Tasman rivals have met once already during this World Cup, the Kiwis coming out on top at Eden Park, Auckland, with just one wicket to spare.

However, this time Australia will have home advantage at the MCG in Melbourne.