World T20: Virat Kohli helps India storm into final
April 04, 2014 22:27
A brilliant effort from Virat Kohli (72 not out off 44 balls) helped India chase down South Africa's total of 172/4 to storm into the final of the World T20.
.jpg?q=60&imwidth=496 "World T20: Virat Kohli helps India storm into final")
Virat Kohli (72 not out off 44 balls) was the key architect of India's run-chase again as he guided his team to a six-wicket win over South Africa and into the World T20 final (All images AP and AFP).
Winning the toss and batting first, South Africa's wings were clipped by what can be dubbed as 'ball of the century' of the T20 format. A spectacular carrom ball from Ashwin foxed Amla to crash onto his stumps.
South African skipper Faf du Plessis stepped in. His knock of 58 from 41 balls helped him keep team's scoreboard ticking all the time.
JP Duminy (45 from 40 balls) batted in the crucial part of the South African innings to keep Indian spinners at bay.
A 71-run stand between Duminy and Du Plessis for the third wicket helped South Africa post 176/4 in 20 overs, a total they would've been happy with at the halfway stage
In reply, India were off to a stroke-filled start against the South African bowlers.
Rohit Sharma (24) and Ajinkya Rahane (32) added 39 runs for the first wicket in 23 balls to give India the perfect start in a steep run-chase
Despite their departure, it was a 56-run stand for the third wicket between Kohli and Yuvraj and a 34-run stand for the fourth wicket between Kohli and Raina that sealed the deal for India. They now face Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday.
