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India stormed into the semi-finals with a comprehensive 37 run win over the hosts. This would be an utter shock to South African fans as the had been cruising so far until they hit a road-block in the name of India. Rohit Sharma and RP Singh were the stars for this Indian win.

All did not start well for India. Yuvraj Singh, the star yesterday, withdrew from the match due to tendonitis of the left elbow. This ensured that Rohit Sharma would get a look in. Boy did he make full use of this chance. India won the toss and once again Mahi decided to bat first. In all three occasions that India have batted first, they have won the match, so this was the most logical choice. However, things were not as rosy as 24 hours ago. The Indian top order struggled and all of a sudden they were 33-3 and when Uthappa departed the score read 61-4.

In comes Rohit Sharma, with zilch international experience, joined by his skipper. Together the two started to rebuild the innings. Remember, this was a do-or-die situation for either team. Rohit Sharma got to his 50 from 40 balls and had hit 7 boundaries and a couple of sixes. Dhoni also got some runs and with 45 from 33 balls, the two had put on what would be a match-winning partnership of 85 runs in only 9.1 overs.

Earlier Sehwag and Gambhir had started off well, but neither went on to score more runs as, yet again, the two fell in quick succession followed by Karthik who failed yet again. This string of failures is not going to do a lot to the young man’s confidence and he will have to be given a rest some time sooner rather than later.

India had reached a competitive 153 at 7.53 runs an over. A lot still had to be done to ensure a win and RP Singh provided just that. An inspired spell of bowling saw the South African top-order fall apart. At 12-3, South Africa had lost Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers. Justin Kemp followed soon after thanks to a spectacular run our by the star of the day – Rohit Sharma. Shaun Pollock was the next to go and the South Africans were really struggling at 31-5 from 5.5 overs. The term chokers has long been associated by South Africa and defeats like these reinforce that statement.

Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel tried to rebuild the innings, but that wasn’t to be for too long. RP Singh snagged Morkel to make him his fourth victim and Sreesanth removed Boucher for his second wicket. Sreesanth seemed to be inspired by his partner’s bowling spell and turned in a much better performance than has been the case for him so far in the series.

Harbhajan picked up another couple and the South African innings finished at 116-9 in their allocated overs. The win now pits India against Australia and Pakistan will play New Zealand. The end result of these two matches could very well put India and Pakistan in a World Cup final, albeit a Twenty20 one. And the tied result earlier on in the tournament makes this possible outcome very very mouth watering.

Oh, before I forget, RP Singh was awarded man of the match for his sensational bowling figures -> 4-0-14-4.

Click here for the full scorecard

Match Highlights

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Download the Indian innings: Mirror 1 Mirror 2

Download the South African innings: Mirror 1 Mirror 2




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