Friday, June 5, 2009
The chokers tag returned to haunt South Africa in their Super Eights match against India.
They had won both their matches in the preliminary stage to top the group and then notched up victories over England and New Zealand to be comfortably placed for a berth in the semifinals.
The only side with an all-win record the hosts - unlike India - did not have to win to make it to the last four.
They simply had to score 126.
But in not knowing which target to chase, they reached neither.
India recovered from a bad start (61 for four) thanks in the main to mature batting by Rohit Sharma, who scored an unbeaten 50 off 40 balls with seven fours and two sixes.
Skipper Dhoni chipped in with a valuable 45 off 33 balls and India were able to set a challenging total of 153 for five.
South Africa looked a confused lot right from the start and at 31 for five, their challenge was virtually over.
Mark Boucher and Albie Mokel both got 36 while trying to trigger a late revival but RP Singh (4 for 13) had a dream outing and South Africa ended at a disappointing 116 for nine, leaving India (seen celebrating their win) top of the group with New Zealand second.
They had won both their matches in the preliminary stage to top the group and then notched up victories over England and New Zealand to be comfortably placed for a berth in the semifinals.
The only side with an all-win record the hosts - unlike India - did not have to win to make it to the last four.
They simply had to score 126.
But in not knowing which target to chase, they reached neither.
India recovered from a bad start (61 for four) thanks in the main to mature batting by Rohit Sharma, who scored an unbeaten 50 off 40 balls with seven fours and two sixes.
Skipper Dhoni chipped in with a valuable 45 off 33 balls and India were able to set a challenging total of 153 for five.
South Africa looked a confused lot right from the start and at 31 for five, their challenge was virtually over.
Mark Boucher and Albie Mokel both got 36 while trying to trigger a late revival but RP Singh (4 for 13) had a dream outing and South Africa ended at a disappointing 116 for nine, leaving India (seen celebrating their win) top of the group with New Zealand second.
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