This Day That Year: India beat South Africa to reach the semi-finals of World T20 2007

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The Indian Cricket Team proved their mettle as they defeated the hosts South Africa in their final Super 8 stage match played at Kingsmead, Durban on 20th September 2007.

Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first. Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag gave the team a decent start putting on 32 runs. The pitch at Durban had some help for the bowlers. India lost 3 quick wickets of Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik, and Virender Sehwag to be in some trouble at 33 for 3.

Playing only his 2nd T20I match, Rohit Sharma came to the crease and looked solid with his stroke play. Robin Uthappa fell cheaply as India lost their 4th wicket at the score of 61. The Indian captain MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma steadied the innings taking singles and hitting boundaries off bad balls.

Both batsmen kept on ticking the scoreboard to put pressure on the South African bowlers. Dhoni was run out in the final over for a quickfire 45 off 33 balls. Rohit and Dhoni added 85 runs for the 5th wicket. Rohit completed his maiden T20I fifty off 40 balls to remain not out. India recovered well and posted 153 for 5.

Rudra Pratap Singh and Sreesanth broke the backbone of South African top order. RP Singh got the breakthrough dismissing Herschelle Gibbs with a beautiful inswing delivery. A sensational one-handed catch by Dinesh Karthik ended the innings for Graeme Smith. It was an amazing bowling effort by the Indian bowlers who took 5 wickets giving away just 31 runs.

Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher steadied the innings with positive stroke play putting some pressure on the Indian bowlers. Both batsmen looked in decent touch and kept the scoreboard ticking. Sreesanth provided the much-needed breakthrough to dismiss Boucher. Boucher and Morkel added 69 runs for the 6th wicket.

Harbhajan Singh bowled the final over as South Africa needed 17 runs to qualify for the semi-finals. He gave away just 11 runs to help India qualify for the knockout stage. With this win, India finished 2nd in the points table with 4 points.

For his superb knock of 50 off 40 balls not out, Rohit Sharma was named the man of the match award.

India 153 for 5 in 20 overs ( Rohit Sharma 50*, MS Dhoni 45, Shaun Pollock 2/17) beat South Africa 116 for 9 in 20 overs ( Mark Boucher 36, Albie Morkel 36, RP Singh 4/13) by 37 runs.








This Day That Year: Rohit Sharma first half-century in T20I format against South Africa during World T20 2007 

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