Kohli steers India to World T20 final shattering South Africa's dream

Virat Kohli fired an unbeaten 68 from 43 balls to ensure India sailed into the final defeating South Africa by six wickets in the second semi-final of the World Twenty20 on Friday.

Needing 173 to win, India got off to a rousing start with Rohit Sharma (24) and Ajinkya Rahane (32) making healthy contributions.

Kohli continued the good run with Suresh Raina chipping in with a 17-ball 18 as India overhauled the target in the final over.

Earlier, a sparkling half-century by skipper Faf Du Plessis and JP Duminy's brisk unbeaten 45 helped South Africa to a strong 172-4.

Opting to bat first, South Africa had lost both their openers by the sixth over with just 44 runs on the board, before Du Plessis (58) added 71 runs with Duminy in 8.4 overs to prop up the innings.

Duminy played aggressively even after Du Plessis, who returned to the side having missed Saturday's group match against England with a slow over-rate suspension, departed, hitting three sixes and a four in his unbeaten 40-ball knock.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers, giving away 22 runs in his tidy four overs to claim the key wickets of Hashim Amla (22), Du Plessis and the dangerous AB de Villiers (10).

INDIA INNINGS

Dhoni does not go for a big one to give Kohli the chance to finish the match. Ind need 1 run from one over. Ind 172-4 in 19 overs.

That was not required at this stage as Raina departs holing an easy catch. South Africa still fighting hard. Ind 167-4 in 18.3 overs.

Suresh Raina c du Plessis b Hendricks 21 (10b 3x4 1x6)

Stunning form as Kohli hits two boundaries. He is using his wrists really well and power too. Ind 163-3 in 18 overs.

This was the one big over India was looking for and it comes with Raina smashing two boundaries and a six as 17 runs comes off it. India just need 23 from 18 balls now. Ind 150-3 in 17 overs.

Kohli gets to his half century in style hitting a superb six but lose Yuvraj Singh immediately. A brilliant catch from De Villiers. Ind 133-3 in 16 overs.

Yuvraj Singh c de Villiers b Imran Tahir 18 (17b 2x4 0x6)

A crucial boundary from Yuvraj and India are 122 for 2 in 15 overs.

The match looks to go down the wire. WIth India needing 60 from 36 balls it's getting interesting. Ind 113-2 in 14 overs.

Kohli gives the charge with a fine boundary and then brilliant running and converting it to two runs. Ind 104-2 in 13 overs.

Tahir keeps it tight. India need 79 from 48 balls. Ind 94-2 in 12 overs.

Yuvraj joins Kohli. Big responsibility on both of them. They need a few big ones in between the singles. Ind 89-2 in 11 overs.

Halfway through the innings, India are 80-2 in 10 overs.

Rahane felt the pressure and attempted a big one and he does not time it to give an easy catch to De Villiers. Ind 77-2 in 9.3 overs.

Ajinkya Rahane c de Villiers b Parnell 32 (30b 2x4 1x6)

Still no boundaries but singles are coming every ball. India still have the advantage at this stage. Ind 75-1 in 9 overs.

Excellent running between the wickets from Kohli and Rahane. They got eight runs without taking any risks. India need 104 runs from 72 balls. Ind 69-1 in 8 overs.

Runs coming in singles. India can afford to do it after a blazing start. Good start for Tahir. Ind 61-1 in 7 overs.

A quiet over for South Africa as Hendricks concedes only four runs. Kohli taking his time to settle down. Ind 56-1 in 6 overs.

Rahane in pristine touch. He looks confident as he wraps Parnell's over with a flat six over mid-off. He is on 23 from 15 balls. Ind 52-1 in 5 overs.

Rohit Sharma hits a high one taken easily by Du Plessis. South Africa get the crucial break. Ind 39-1 in 3.5 overs.

Rohit Sharma c du Plessis b Hendricks 24 (13b 4x4 1x6)

Steyn's magic does not work as he is hoisted for a six by Sharma. SA 33-0 in 3 overs.

Indian openers in superb form. Ind 23-0 in 2 overs.

Three boundaries for Rahane and South Africa's ploy of starting with a spinner flops. Ind 14-0 in 1 over.

Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane begin proceedings for India as Duminy bowls for the Proteas.

INDIA INNINGS

Skipper Faf du Plessis fired a half century while AB de Villiers remained unbeaten on 45 as South Africa scored a superb 172 for four in 20 overs.

After Hasim Amla struck a 16-ball 22, Du Plessis put South Africa in a strong position with his 41-ball 58. David Miller fired 21 from 11 balls late in the innings to further consolidate the total.

For India Ravichandran Ashwin claimed three wickets.

12 runs from the over as South Africa crossed the 150-run mark. SA 158-4 in 19 overs.

Duminy on 37 from 35 balls. Smashes a fine six off Ashwin as South Africa reach 146-4 in 18 overs.

South Africa are 136-4 in 17 overs.

De Villiers gone and that could be a big loss for the Proteas. SA 129-4 in 15.3 overs.

AB de Villiers c R Sharma b Ashwin 10 (8b 1x4 0x6)

De Villiers gets a boundary off his favourite reverse sweep. Expensive from Mishra as SA reach 126-3 in 15 overs.

Du Plessis is unlucky as he misses the ball as it crashes into the stumps. That's another carrom ball from Ashwin. But his half century has put SA in command. SA 115-3 in 13.5 overs.

Faf du Plessis b Ashwin 58 (41b 5x4 2x6)

South Africa suddenly dominating the proceedings. Du Plessis looks to be struggling but he is charged up while Duminy joins the party with a big six and a four. SA 107-2 in 13 overs.

After staying quiet for quite some time, SOuth Africa finally had a good over with Du Plessis blasting a boundary and a six; all on the leg side. SA 90-2 in 12 overs.

It could have been a good start for Mishra but a noball proved to be an expensive one as the free hit was smashed to a boundary by Du Plessis. SA 74-2 in 11 overs.

A misfield from Rohit Sharma got Proteas a rare boundary, otherwise a good over from Raina. SA 66-2 in 10 overs.

Another tight over from Jadeja. He's given only eight runs from his two overs. India in a commanding position. SA 58-2 in 9 overs.

Boundaries have completely dried up for the Proteas as Indian spinners continue to impress. SA 53-2 in 8 overs.

Jadeja also starts his spell well giving only three runs. SA need a partnership here. SA 47-2 in 7 overs.

A superb over from Ashwin. Just the wide and the precious wicket of Amla. SA 44-2 in 6 overs.

What a delivery from Ashwin. Amla had no clue as he is bowled. Ashwin is all smiles. SA 44-2 in 5.1 overs.

Hashim Amla b Ashwin 22 (16b 4x4 0x6)

Amla continues his assault. It's a delight to watch when he is on song. Adds another two boundaries as he reaches 22. SA 43-1 in 5 overs.

South African batsmen get cracking as Amla gets a couple of boundaries and Du Plessis one. SA 34-1 in 4 overs.

The Indian fast bowlers are doing a fantastic job here. Keeping the Proteas batsman tied. SA 17-1 in 3 overs.

Another fine over from India as Sharma gives away only three runs. South Africa are ensuring they lose no more wickets. SA 13-1 in 2 overs.

A good start for India and a fine over for Kumar. SA 10-1 in 1 over.

India strike early as Kumar ends De Kock as he edges a catch to Dhoni. The batsman is not happy with the decision. Ind 9-1 in 0.4 overs.

Quinton de Kock c Dhoni b Kumar 6 (4b 1x4 0x6)

Amla and De Kock bat for South Africa as Dhoni brings in Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl for India.

Players line-up for the national anthems as the crowd cheer loudly. They only hope to see a full game without any rain interruption.

Plessis wins the toss and prefers to bat. He really wants South Africa to put on a good total keeping the weather in mind.

Dhoni would have chose to bat first also. He says it's important to keep the intensity going. No changes in the team.

PLAYING XI:

India: Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma

South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Faf du Plessis, Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Wayne Parnell

There are fears the rains may play spoilsport, the good news is it's been clear so far.

PREVIEW

India could advance into the final of the ICC World Twenty20 without a ball being in the second semifinal against South Africa at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Friday with the weather forecast predicting heavy rain.

Sri Lanka sailed into the World Twenty20 final after beating holders West Indies by 27 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-ruined contest on Thursday.

Chasing 161 for victory against the team they beat in the final of the 2012 tournament, West Indies were 80 for four in 13.5 overs when the players were forced off by a hailstorm and a wet outfield prevented any further action in the semi-final.

Sri Lanka now face the winners of Friday's game between India and South Africa in Sunday's final.

Even if a five-over per-side match is not possible, the team that is ranked higher in their respective group will be declared winner of the contest.

India have emerged as group champions, winning all their four matches in Group 2, while South Africa were second in their group with six points by virtue of three wins.

India have also replaced Sri Lanka as the top T20 side in the ICC rankings released on Wednesday.

Nonetheless, the second semifinal between unbeaten India and South Africa could also boil down to a spinners' showdown between Imran Tahir and Indian pair Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Leg-spinner Mishra's nine-wicket haul in four games has been matched by off-break bowler Ashwin's seven wickets, helping India to become the only team to win all four Super-10 matches.

South Africa, branded chokers for their inability to win major titles, seem to have put the past behind them by scripting three narrow wins in Chittagong after losing their opening game to Sri Lanka by five runs.

The Proteas beat New Zealand by two runs, the Netherlands by six runs and England by three runs, giving all-rounder JP Duminy added confidence going into the second semi-final against India.

"We can take a lot of confidence from those wins," he said. "Two of those games we were not meant to win, but to win a game out of nothing is something very positive.

"India will be a huge challenge, but we are ready. Its a big game, a semi-final of a world event. It does not get bigger than this."

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said his team was peaking at the right time, but stressed that nothing could be taken for granted in the shortest format.

"We have to bat and bowl well again," he said. "In T20, a couple of overs can change the game so it is hard to predict how it will go."

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