World Cricket News

Australia and India were seemingly the two best sides in the competition and their semifinal was predicted to turn into a closely-fought encounter.

It certainly proved to be the best match of the tournament as far as cricketing skills and entertainment value went.

India were initially restricted to 41 for two after eight overs, but then Yuvraj Singh (70 off 30 balls with five sixes and as many fours) got going and his brilliance rubbed off on Dhoni (36 off 18 balls) and Uthappa (34 off 28).

India ended with an imposing 188 for five with the middle order hammering 140 from the last 11 overs.

With Matthew Hayden (62) and Andrew Symonds (43) adding 66 runs in six overs for the third wicket, Australia were in with a chance.

Even after Hayden's dismissal, the target was a gettable 55 from 32 balls and then 30 from three with six wickets in hand.

But Harbhajan Singh bowled Michael Clarke in an over in which he conceded just three runs.

Then RP Singh bowled an economical 19th over giving away only five runs.

The task before the Aussies was now too tall and they ultimately lost by 15 runs.