Both the teams were hoping for Australia to defeat Pakistan in the previous game. As Pakistan won, SA were out of the tournament. India had to win by a margin of 31 runs or with 4 overs to spare, depending on the outcome of the toss. South Africa won the toss and AB de Villiers elected to bowl first. This meant that India needed to post a big total to win by atleast 31 runs. Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag opened the innings. The start was very slow and Sehwag didn't connect. Gambhir just hit one boundary before missing a delivery off Morne Morkel which went on to knock out the stumps. The lean patch continued for Gambhir. Virat Kohli came. He was back in the pavillion very soon as he edged ball by Jacques Kallis which was caught behind. This was a big blow on such an important day. MS Dhoni was expected to come in at this stage but he didn't promote himself in the order. In came Rohit Sharma. Sehwag was bowled in the next over by Robin Peterson. Yuvraj Singh replaced him. The Indian innings needed to accelerate as they were going at a run rate of less than 7 runs. Yuvraj finally took matters into his hands. He hit some beautiful shots and it looked like India might make a respectable total. However, the Indians' joys were short lived as Yuvraj was dismissed by Morkel in the 10th over. He was replaced by Suresh Raina, a perfect finisher. Raina also made a good effort. Sharma was dismissed by Peterson in the 16th over. MS Dhoni finally came in. Dhoni took some time to fire. In the last two overs, Dhoni was alive and on fire. He hit brilliant shots and got India to 152. The score was respectable enough to win but for a 31 run victory, it was hard work. India had a perfect start. Hashim Amla was dismissed off the second ball of the innings, all credit to Zaheer Khan. AB de Villiers came in. Despite the big blow, SA kept up the fight. However, a breakthrough came along soon. Kallis was dismissed by Irfan Pathan. Faf du Plessis came in. He began to threaten the Indian bowling. Finally, de Villiers was dismissed. JP Duminy came in. However, du Plessis did not rest. He went on smashing the bowlers. He was dismissed in the 13th over but it was too late. SA had already made it to 95. India were supposed to restrict them to 121 or less to qualify on NRR basis. Farhaan Behardien came in. Duminy was dismissed soon by Lakshmipathy Balaji. Robin Peterson came in. As SA made it to 121 the Pakistan cheered loud. The moment they made it to 122, there was a deafening noise. As for the Men in Blue and their fans, it was disappointment and dismay. However, the game was not over. Behardien was dismissed soon, followed by Peterson. Albie Morkel and Johan Botha were the new men at the crease. Botha was dismissed by Ashwin in the 19th over and was replaced by Dale Steyn. The 20th over was exciting. They needed 14 off 6. Balaji was hit for a six by Morkel. He was dismissed in the next ball. Morne Morkel came in. 8 off 4. A boundary was hit and SA were at 151. 1 run to level scores and 2 to win. For India it was just a wicket. Not that it mattered but they had to win all the same. Balaji did the job and dismissed Morkel. India won by a run. Had there not been the factor of a 31 run win, this would have been the most enjoyable win for the Indians in the tournament. Yuvraj Singh was MoM. Neither team qualified. This might be my last post for this tournament. I will be back in the CLT20 to post for all KKR matches and any other, if I watch them.
Gambhir bowled!
Yuvraj Singh
Faf du Plessis
Lakshmipathy Balaji celebrates Morne Morkels wicket
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