Mirpur: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said
there was a "sense of calmness" in the innings break as the team backed
itself to chase down the 173-run target set by South Africa in the ICC
World T20 semi-final, here tonight.
"There was a sense of calmness in the dressing at the
innings' break (after South Africa put up 172 on the board). Most of the
thoughts were positive. Everybody saw that the wicket was better than
those we have played on, and they believed they could chase this down.
It is not just the self-belief, but the belief in each other that is
crucial," said Dhoni at the post-match presentation ceremony.
India stormed into the final of the World Cup with a resounding six-wicket victory over South Africa, with Virat Kohli once again rising to the occasion with a scintillating unbeaten 76.
"There are not many who are as consistent as Virat. It is great to have him at No. 3. He has always grabbed his opportunities. Something everyone needs to learn from him," said Dhoni.
Dhoni also praised off-spinner R Ashwin, who bowled an economical spell of 3/22 in four overs, for tying down the Proteas in the middle overs.
"Ashwin was brilliant. We kept him back for AB de Villiers. We didn't want to give him pace. Ashwin was very effective," he said.
South African skipper Faf du Plessis said Kohli's knock took the game away from them after his batters had put up a "really good score".
"It was a very good score against a good attack on this wicket. Credit must go to our batters for putting up a good total. Runs on the board in the semi-final is what you ask for. The bad thing is, M S (Dhoni) and his team know how to chase. They have done it many times," said du Plessis.
"They paced their innings really well. Virat played a great innings. You have to give him credit."
India stormed into the final of the World Cup with a resounding six-wicket victory over South Africa, with Virat Kohli once again rising to the occasion with a scintillating unbeaten 76.
"There are not many who are as consistent as Virat. It is great to have him at No. 3. He has always grabbed his opportunities. Something everyone needs to learn from him," said Dhoni.
Dhoni also praised off-spinner R Ashwin, who bowled an economical spell of 3/22 in four overs, for tying down the Proteas in the middle overs.
"Ashwin was brilliant. We kept him back for AB de Villiers. We didn't want to give him pace. Ashwin was very effective," he said.
South African skipper Faf du Plessis said Kohli's knock took the game away from them after his batters had put up a "really good score".
"It was a very good score against a good attack on this wicket. Credit must go to our batters for putting up a good total. Runs on the board in the semi-final is what you ask for. The bad thing is, M S (Dhoni) and his team know how to chase. They have done it many times," said du Plessis.
"They paced their innings really well. Virat played a great innings. You have to give him credit."
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