New Zealand have beaten India 3-2 to earn a spot in the men's hockey gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games.

The Kiwis pushed out to an early 2-0 after 12 minutes before Glasgow silver medallists India pulled one back in the shadow of half-time.

New Zealand, ranked ninth in the world to India's sixth, struck again in the third quarter only for India to haul one back in the final spell to set up a nailbiting finish.

The win earns New Zealand a chance to play for gold against the winner of the second semi-final, between world No.1 Australia and Glasgow bronze medallists England.

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India looked lightning quick on the counterattack but it was the Kiwis who struck twice in the opening quarter.

Hugo Inglis's clinical finish low and hard into the bottom right corner gave the Black Sticks the lead after seven minutes, Stephen Jenness doubling the margin two minutes out from the first break.

The New Zealanders looked set to maintain their 2-0 lead into half-time, but India earned a penalty corner - and Kiwi skipper Arun Panchia a yellow card - with less than a minute remaining.

From there, a penalty stroke was awarded, which Harmanpreet Singh duly converted for his fifth goal of the Games, and India went into the break only a goal down.

Marcus Child slammed home for New Zealand's third four minutes out from three-quarter time, the Black Sticks taking a 3-1 lead into the break on the back out some outstanding work from keeper Richard Joyce.

India piled the pressure on in the closing minutes, forcing four penalty corners in rapid succession, with Harmanpreet slamming home from the fourth to set up a grandstand finish.

- AAP