India went into this game as ‘˜favourites’ and so to they were as the 2007 champions dashed South African hearts by beating them by six wickets in the second semi-final in Dhaka. By doing so, the MS Dhoni-led team have made it to their second T20 World Cup Final and will meet Sri Lanka.
India went into this game as ‘favourites’ and so to they were as the 2007 champions dashed South African hearts by beating them by six wickets in the second semi-final in Dhaka. By doing so, the MS Dhoni-led team have made it to their second T20 World Cup Final and will meet Sri Lanka.
India were imposed a stiff target of 173 by South Africa but India’s swansong star, Virat Kohli turned the game around with his classy knock of 72 to lead the Men In Blue into celebrations. This becomes India’s second final in five World Twenty20s after they won the inaugural event held in South Africa in 2007. In contrast, the Proteas stayed true to their ‘chokers’ tag as they yet again failed in a World Cup semi-final.
India who are still undefeated in the tourney so far, will have to thank Virat Kohli for the berth in the Finals. The Delhi Dasher smashed five boundaries and two sixes off 44 balls in a brilliant display of batting which included world’s fastest bowler, Dale Steyn for a boundary. Kohli and rest of the Indian batsmen ran riot against the South African attack as the latter found it difficult to find a foothold in the match.
After the match, Kohli spoke about his special innings. He said, “”I had to keep telling myself that I could make up later. Today was one of those days when I had to keep my cool.” The exuberance and arrogance in the batsman comes in his batting. There may be shades of Sachin Tendulkar in him but Virat is in his own league. Team India may have been lacking the ‘winning momentum’ off late (overseas tours) but in the Indian sub-continent, they still remain the kings.
India now face the Sri Lankans in the T20 Final and we could see the repeat of the 2011 World Cup here. There may a difference in the overs but the sides will be pumped up to land the coveted title.
