India beat SA, reached into final of T20 World cup
Mirpur: India on Friday reached into the final of the ICC World T20 with a six-wicket victory over South Africa, with Virat Kohli once again rising to the occasion with a scintillating unbeaten 76.
Chasing a competitive target of 173, India completed the task with five balls to spare to reach their second World T20 final. The reigning ODI world champion will lock horns with Sri Lanka in the title clash on Sunday.
Needing 51 off the last five overs, Kohli upped the ante as he smacked Imran Tahir over deep mid-wicket for a huge six to complete his 50 off 35 balls. But Tahir got a break when Yuvraj Singh (18) didn’t get the elevation and A B de Villiers took one of the best catches of the tourney, running from his long-on position.
New man Raina got into the act immediately as he pulled Wayne Parnell behind deep fine leg for a six to bring down the equation. An uppishly played shot through vacant third man and an inside edge meant that Parnell gave away 17 runs. The over proved to be the turning point as India got the equation down to 23 from three overs.
Albie Morkel got the new ball from the other end and Rohit’s spanking square cut got him his third boundary. His fourth boundary came when he pulled Morkel over the mid-wicket fielder.
With 23 from two overs, India’s chase was on the right track. Dale Steyn was promptly brought in and the last ball of his opening over was slashed over point by Rohit for a six. Not to be left behind, Rahane did the same with left-arm seamer Hendricks.
However, Rohit was gone when he offered a skier off Hendricks, as skipper Faf Du Plessis ran from his mid-off position to take well-judged catch. Rohit’s 24 came off 13 balls with four boundaries and six.
The 50 came off five overs as Rahane moved towards the leg-side to lift Parnell over extra cover for a huge six.
Parnell had his revenge when he bowled one just short of length and Rahane’s short arm jab was taken by de Villiers, running from mid-wicket boundary position. Rahane took 30 balls for his 32 that had two fours and a six.
