India rode on the charismatic Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 72 to cruise to the final in the World Twenty20, beating South Africa by six wickets in the second semi-final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
India had the upper hand and was on top of the game in most of the situation with South Africa always trying to crawl back and win to end their drought of reaching a major tournament final. However, the day was a gloomy one for South Africa as both their men’s and women’s team tasted defeat in the semi-final of their respective World T20 tournaments.
The intent from the Indian openers chasing 173 was clear as Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane hit three fours in the first over bowled by JP Duminy to put on 14 runs followed by nine and 10 off the next two overs by Albie Morkel and Dale Steyn respectively.
Dominant off the two Rohit, who also guided Steyn for a six off upper cut, hit four fours and a six before he skied Beuran Hendricks’ fifth ball in the fourth over to mid-on on 24 off 13 balls.
The man in form, Kohli joined Rahane and kept the required run rate under nine. Their brisk partnership of 38 was broken after Rahane (32) was dismissed by left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell with India needing 95 from the last 10 overs.
The dismissal, however, had no effect on Kohli who went all guns blazing with Yuvraj Singh at the other end. The duo added 56 in 6.3 overs with Kohli already reaching his third 50 in the tournament, indicating the finisher’s intent. Yuvraj left on 18 as the game looked to go right down the wire with 40 off 24 balls required for the former champions.
Incoming batsman Suresh Raina eased the pressure off Kohli’s shoulders as the left-handed hammered Parnell for 16 in the 17th over. Though
his 10-ball 21 ended in the penultimate over, Raina’s cameo had already ensured India were ahead in calculations for the first time needing five off just nine balls.
Kohli maintained his classy feature of remaining unbeaten during an India win and sealed his side’s clash with Sri Lanka in the final by hitting a four with five balls to spare. He faced just 44 deliveries to make 72 with the help of five fours and two sixes. South Africa earlier looked to dominate the Indian attack despite losing Quinton de Cock for six in the very first over. Hashim Amla and captain
Faf du Plessis kept the run rate around nine in their 35-run stand which was broken with Ashwin cleaning up Amla on 22.
However, it was the pair of du Plessis and Duminy that eventually propelled South Africa to the challenging total. The duo was fast between the wickets while the opportunity of the odd boundary was also not let go in the 72-run partnership.
Amit Mishra, who has been the most threatening Indian spinner in the tournament, was smashed for 36 off three overs as du Plessis also registered his 50 in the process.
Ashwin was brought back to the attack and this time he rattled the stumps of the dangerous looking Proteas skipper who made 58 off 41 balls with five fours and two sixes.
AB Devilliers came in and hurried back with 10 runs, trying to accelerate the scorecard and it was again Ashwin the destroyer.
Duminy and south paw David Miller joined to exhibit some lusty blows in the death, adding 42 from 18 balls which carried South Africa to 172/4. Left-handed Duminy remained unbeaten on 45 off 40 balls (4x1, 6x3) while Miller was not out at 23 from 12 balls.