Considering yesterday's performance Team India seems to have pulled up its socks for a decent exit. Because the team's exit had been decided when Pakistan won against Australia in the after noon encounter in Super Eight. Colombo R Premadesa Stadium that has been the center stage for the cricket carnival the last fortnight had witnessed one of the toughest encounters on Tuesday. The Pak-Aus result had determined the semi final players from Group two as Sri Lanka and England were coming from the other.
India had been thrown into the ring with a need to win with a margin of 31 runs or score the win in sixteen overs to beat the rival Pak's chances into the Semis. Both these stats looked a little difficult for the logical brains, but being tough minded optimists we gave in for hopes.
India was put into bat by South Africa in the 24th match of the T20 World cup 2012. As usual in the beginning it was a bit slow and the game picked up after the departure of Gautam Gambhir scoring eight runs. It was Rohit Sharma who built up the pace with his 25, followed by Yuvaraj Singh with 21. However it was S K Raina who scored a splendid 45 in the end that made the difference. The Indians wound up at 152/6.
Dale Steyn and Robin Peterson grabbed a couple of Indian wickets each. Wicket keeper AB de Villiers was awesome on guard. He was instrumental in two run-outs, predominantly.
In the later part of the extended evening South Africa had come to bat and the Indians had only two alternatives to enter the semis. Either they get the opponents out by 12 overs or at 121 runs. Though out of form South Africa was indomitable, but ended the dream run of the Indian opportunists by scoring 151 all out just short of a win which would have made no difference to the points board. Faf du Plessis knock of 65 was scintillating and Yuvraj Singh's two consecutive wickets helped him grab the Man of the Match honors.
The next most important event on the agenda is welcoming back home, the Indian team and of course retrospection. In nutshell, timid encounter with Australia in the Super Eight has turned suicidal for the national team. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)
