By Carl Markham, PA Sport

India booked their place in the women's final in a controversial finish against the Kiwis.

Mamta Kharab knocked in the winner from a penalty corner rebound eight minutes from time while her side were down to 10 players after having captain Surja Waikhom sin-binned seconds beforehand.

That was partly because of the decision by English umpire Dawn Henning to cancel an Indian penalty stroke because she believed Jyoti Kullu had not acknowledged she was ready - despite the obvious gamesmanship going on from New Zealand goalkeeper Helen Clarke.

However, justice was seen to be done and India just about deserved their success after showing more invention in the second half.

The game lacked any real urgency or desire among the players, although that could have been due in part to the rain which was damping down everyone's enthusiasm.

The Kiwis had the better of the early exchanges and in the fifth minute a penetrating run by Jaimee Provan down the right presented Suzie Pearce with the chance to score and she made no mistake.

New Zealand were made to regret not converting five penalty corners as, with two minutes of the half remaining, India scored a well-crafted goal.

Sita Gussain drove the ball in from the top of the circle and Kullu turned it in.

The second half burst into life with nine minutes remaining when Kullu played through Pritam Siwach and she was sandwiched in the circle.

A penalty stroke resulted but two aborted attempts to take it exhausted Henning's patience.

India then lost their captain but won the game, although Ninwa Roberts-Lang had chance to snatch an equaliser two minutes from time but her underarm deflection rolled inches wide of the post.

India coach Gurdial Bhangu admitted he was puzzled as to why his team had a penalty stroke taken away from them in the closing moments.

"The penalty stroke was awarded rightly. The normal procedure that we know is that the umpire blows the whistle and then the player takes it," said Bhangu.

"The player who was to take the stroke did not hear a whistle.

"Normal procedure was not followed. The player does not have to say she is ready.

"Once the players missed the chance to win naturally they were fired up. It gave us a boost."