Clinical with penalties and combative through 120 and more goalless minutes, defending champions India beat Lebanon 4-2 in the tie-breaker on Saturday to enter the final of the SAFF Championships where Kuwait lie in wait for the host.
Lebanon had two early chances but India, back in the FIFA top 100, grew in the game and finished stronger of the teams.
Chhetri had a snap right-footer saved by goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil and then failed to keep a volley on target. That was in the first half of extra-time.
Finally, Lebanon paid for poor finishing and a standout show from their central defender George Melki was responsible for India getting few clear chances.
The hosts will face Kuwait, who beat Bangladesh 1-0 in the other semi-final. Bangladesh have been knocked out of the Bangabandhu Saff Championship as they lost the semifinal to Kuwait by 1 nil on Saturday.