Kholi's side avoided the embarrassment of an early exit as they survived a do-or-die showdown to advance from Group B in style.
India bowled an astounding 141 dot balls which is equivalent to 23.3 maiden overs out of the 44.3 overs that South Africa batted. "We wanted to improve on it, and we got it", Kohli analysed. "You can expect the likes of Virat Kohli to come and keep things steady right till the end, especially when the team is chasing". The opportunity comes your way, you have to grab it.
Tharanga was sanctioned for overseeing a slow over rate in Sri Lanka's opening defeat against South Africa - when Mathews himself was out, still recovering from a calf injury.
Kohli's side crushed South Africa by eight wickets at The Oval in their final Group B fixture to set up a semi-final showdown with Bangladesh on Thursday.
Whoever wins this clash will also reach the semi-finals, joining India, England and Bangladesh. Weather conditions would be in favour of Indian Cricket Team who have comparatively little better playing experience in less temperatures. We played in Birmingham, we like that pitch, suits our game. After du Plessis pushed one to the third man, he and Miller attempt a single only to realise it can not be completed.
South Africa were given an early hope by Rohit Sharma, who chose to let go of his defensive ways early in the innings and attacked a shortish delivery bowled by Morne Morkel, only to edge it straight to Quinton de Kock's gloves in the sixth over.
Two run-outs of skipper AB de Villiers (16) and David Miller (1) within a space of six deliveries started the slide from which South Africa could never recover with nearly all the Indian bowlers becoming successful in choking up the runs. "Credit to them in those first 15-20 overs, they put the pressure on us, we normally don't bat that way".
Northern Ireland's unionist kingmakers may help shape PM's Brexit
Instead, the result has sown confusion and division in British ranks, just days before negotiations are due to start on June 19. She said she "obviously wanted a different result" and felt "sorry" for colleagues who lost their seats.
During the press conference, a dejected Faf du Plessis agreed that the team did not play their "A game" in the tournament and this is precisely why they don't deserve to be in the final four.
"I left the ground on Sunday feeling as many South African fans will be feeling". Amla flicked him over square leg boundary for a six.
Another aggressive shot from Sharma proved his downfall as a mistimed slog was caught behind by De Kock off Morne Morkel.
Kohli walked into medium-pacer Andile Phehlukwayo and launched him over mid-on for his first six, and reached his fifty off 71 balls.
Kohli was thrilled to have advanced to the semi-finals, and said: "A good toss to win, the wicket didn't change too much".
"And then the bowlers were on the money and that actually helps the fielders get into better positions and attack the batsmen when they know the bowler is hitting the right spot regularly". It took them less than 10 overs after that to gift India the game.
Comments