Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 72 runs helped India storm into the final of the ICC World Twenty20 beating South Africa by 6 wickets in the 2nd semi-final at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday. India will play top-ranked Sri Lanka in the final at the same venue on Sunday. Replying to South Africa’s 172 runs, India reached the target making 176 for 4 in 19.1 overs. India lost their two top order batsmen — Rohit Sharma (24) and Ajinkya Rahane (32) –- with scoreboard showing 77 runs for 2 in 9.3 overs. In the 3rd wicket stand, Virat Kohli pairing with Yuvraj Singh made 56 runs in 6.3 overs to carry the team total to 133 for 3 in 16 overs. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 72 runs off 44 balls featured five fours and two sixes whereby he was adjudged man of the match. Suresh Raina made 21 runs off 10 balls with three fours and a six while Yuvraj Singh added 18 runs. Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, South Africa posted 172 for 4 in stipulated 20 overs against India. South Africa faced an early jolt losing their opener Quinton de Kock (6) in the 4th delivery of the innings for 9 runs. Skipper Faf du Plessis pairing with Hashim Amla (22) made 35 runs in 4.3 overs before Amla was clean bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin at 44 for 2 in 5.1 overs. Faf du Plessis in the 3rd wicket stand with two down batsman Jean-Paul Duminy contributed 71 runs in 8.4 overs and was bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin. Faf du Plessiss scored 58 runs off 41 balls featuring five fours and two sixes. After departure of the number five batsman AB de Villiers (10) in the 5th wicket stand, Jean-Paul Duminy paring with David Miller contributed an unconquered 43 runs in 4.3 overs to pile up the final score of 172 for 4 in 20 overs. Jean-Paul Duminy added unbeaten 45 runs facing 40 balls with a four and three sixes while David Miller made unbeaten 23 runs from 12 deliveries with two boundaries and an over boundary. Ravichandran Ashwin claimed three wickets for 22 runs in his four overs spell while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took the other wicket conceding 33 runs also bowling four overs. India clinched the inaugural crown of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 beating their archrival Pakistan by five runs in the final at Johannesburg. In the Super10 stage of the world meet, India beat Pakistan and West Indies by 7 wickets each, hosts Bangladesh by 8 wickets and cricket giant Australia by 73 runs in the Super-10 around. Sri Lanka confirmed their final berth eliminating holders West Indies in the first semifinals on Thursday (April 3). In the last ICC World Twenty20 in 2012 host Sri Lanka was lost West Indies and to Pakistan in 2009 at Lord’s in the final. In the Super 10 stage, Sri Lanka won three matches — against South Africa by 5 runs, the Netherlands by 9 wickets and New Zealand by 59 runs — and lost to England by 6 wickets. – UNB
