Durban, Sept 20: India won their must win Super 8 clash against South Africa by 37 runs to rode to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. It was an astounding bowling by RP Singh that led India to a comprehensive win. It was also a credible performance by Rohit Sharma that helped India score 153 runs.
South Africa also fell 10 runs short in the end with 116 for 9 and allowed New Zealand the semi final berth as Proteas lost out to Kiwis in the net run rate.
Indian seamers dislodged South African batting attack right from the start as Proteas struggled to cope with the grueling conditions at Kingsmead that totally went against them. It was the first over from RP Singh that tricked the two South African openers upfront.
First one to go was Herschelle Gibbs who was declared LBW, giving RP his first wicket on the first ball of his first over. The second wicket to fall was of South African skipper Graeme Smith. Smith fell prey to a stunning catch from Dinesh Karthik. RP Singh got his second wicket on the fifth ball of the same over.
Soon after, Sreesanth took a wicket as AB de Villiers was declared out LBW by umpire Simon Taufel. South Africa were down with 3 wickets and at an agonising score of 12 runs.
Troubles continued to torment South Africa as Rohit Sharma thronged in a surprise run out to dismiss Justin Kemp. Kemp was way out of his crease as India jubilated in a huddle after the decision was out.
After Kemp was gone, Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher tried to stabilise South African innings. They partially succeeded as South Africa achieved the 100 of their innings in the 17th over with the loss of 5 wickets.
But then in the same over, Mark Boucher was clean bowlerd by S Sreesanth and from here on things just worsened for South Africa. Philander who was miserable in the field was stumped by Dinesh Karthik who was standing in place of skipper Mahendra Dhoni.
RP Singh who was impressive throughout then took another wicket as he dismissed the dangerman Albie Morkel. Morkel was clean bowled by RP Singh.
Johan van der Wath then departed in the same fashion as Philander departed as he too was stumped by Dinesh Karthik on Harbhajan Singh’s delivery.
South Africa held their reputation of being the worst chokers of the game. After ruling Group F till the start of the last match, South Africa simply choked out of the tournament.
Earlier, after a dismal start, India put a brave total of 153 runs against South Africa. Besides an influential opening spell by Shaun Pollock, South Africa had nothing much to look at. For India, Rohit Sharma playing struck a credible 50 off just 40 balls.
It was a deluge of wickets at Durban from the start as India lost their key wickets in the first six overs of the match. First one to go was Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir tried to hit Shaun Pollock over mid off and gave an easy catch to Graeme Smith.
After Gambhir’s wicket, Dinesh Karthik too went down to Pollock. Karthik played a lazy shot straight into the hands of Albie Morkel’s who was standing at square leg. Karthik departed on duck.
And on the third ball after Gambhir departed, Sehwag edged the ball to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher off Makhaya Ntini’s delivery. India were tottering at 33-3 in 5.1 overs.
Uthappa too followed the other three batsmen and departed as he gave an easy catch to Graeme Smith standing at mid-off. India lost their 4th wicket under 11 overs with score still below 70 runs.
Rohit Sharma and Mahendra Dhoni then stabilised Indian innings with a 50 run partnership as tension crept on South African faces. Their partnership came in just 38 balls. Graeme Smith tried different bowlers and different field placements to take a wicket but of no avail.
Before India rode to a decent total, Mahendra Dhoni too was sent back as he was run out on a direct throw.
India ended their innings with a six from Rohit Sharma on the last ball of last over.
India earlier won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa. India were on back foot right from the start as Yuvraj Singh missed the match due to an elbow injury. Dinesh Karthik was included in the squad.
Teams:
South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Justin Kemp, Mark Boucher (wk), Vernon Philander, Shaun Pollock, Johan van der Wath, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Andre Nel.
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni(capt), Virendar Sehwag, Gautham Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Sreesanth, RP Singh.
