Chasing a competitive target of 173, India completed the task with five balls to spare to reach their second World T20 final. The reigning ODI world champion will lock horns with Sri Lanka in the title clash on Sunday.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni deliberately played a dot ball to ensure that the day's hero get a chance to score the winning stroke off Dale Steyn.
Kohli produced his best T20 international knock when it mattered the most, scoring his runs in just 44 balls and with the help of five fours and two sixes. It was a fantastic knock on a difficult track that was not conducive for stroke-making.
Needing 51 off the last five overs, Kohli upped the ante as he smacked Imran Tahir over deep mid-wicket for a huge six to complete his 50 off 35 balls. But Tahir got a break when Yuvraj Singh (18) didn't get the elevation and A B de Villiers took one of the best catches of the tourney, running from his long-on position.
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New man Raina got into the act immediately as he pulled Wayne Parnell behind deep fine leg for a six to bring down the equation. An uppishly played shot through vacant third man and an inside edge meant that Parnell gave away 17 runs. The over proved to be the turning point as India got the equation down to 23 from three overs.
Albie Morkel got the new ball from the other end and Rohit's spanking square cut got him his third boundary. His fourth boundary came when he pulled Morkel over the mid-wicket fielder.
With 23 from two overs, India's chase was on the right track.