It was heartening to see the youngsters thrive on taking responsibility. The game at the highest level is all about handling pressure. I must admit this Indian side under Dhoni is showing a big heart.

When everyone is trying, individual brilliance is also bound to surface more often. That came in Yuvraj Singh's blitz against Stuart Broad. Everyone in the side was pulling his weight, the singles were being run hard and that set up the platform for that amazing burst from a creative batsman.

Batting at the other end, Dhoni would have helped Rohit to a great extent. The skipper played the role of the senior pro to perfection as the two brought India out of a deep hole. The shot selection of both during the 85-run partnership was exemplary. Even when the situation was dire, there was not too much of slogging. It was clean batting by the book.

The target of 154 should have been attained but South Africa yet again choked under pressure. Smith did concede it was not the best of batting displays from his side and it was ill luck they were out of the tournament after losing their first match.

Point taken, but the stage where you lose your games matter too. The Proteas are yet to get used to the big occasion. They seem to be undone by the sheer fear of it. The simple truth is they buckle under pressure.

Chasing is not an easy proposition under lights at Kingsmead. R.P. is one of the better bowlers in world cricket when there is some help from the conditions. His high arm and perfect wrists are tailor made to conditions he came across on Thursday.

The difference was the length the bowlers hit. When there is bounce in the wicket and help for the ball to swing, it is best to try and hit the three-quarter length.

When pitched slightly short, the ball will also skid off the surface. The hosts banged it in and were successful with the new ball but once the seam lost its hardness there was room for the batsmen to free his arms. India handled the conditions better.

The semifinal line up throws two intriguing contests and battles between totally contrasting styles. India will have an outside chance if they are to bat first. A total above 160 will test the world champions.

The New Zealand-Pakistan clash will be won by the team with the braver heart. Pakistan rely on their flamboyance as much as the Kiwis depend on their water-tight approach. The four best sides may not have made the cut. Those who missed out like South Africa and Sri Lanka did not have the ability to adapt.

It was heartening to see the youngsters thrive on taking responsibility. The game at the highest level is all about handling pressure. I must admit this Indian side under Dhoni is showing a big heart.

When everyone is trying, individual brilliance is also bound to surface more often. That came in Yuvraj Singh's blitz against Stuart Broad. Everyone in the side was pulling his weight, the singles were being run hard and that set up the platform for that amazing burst from a creative batsman.

Batting at the other end, Dhoni would have helped Rohit to a great extent. The skipper played the role of the senior pro to perfection as the two brought India out of a deep hole. The shot selection of both during the 85-run partnership was exemplary. Even when the situation was dire, there was not too much of slogging. It was clean batting by the book.

The target of 154 should have been attained but South Africa yet again choked under pressure. Smith did concede it was not the best of batting displays from his side and it was ill luck they were out of the tournament after losing their first match.

Point taken, but the stage where you lose your games matter too. The Proteas are yet to get used to the big occasion. They seem to be undone by the sheer fear of it. The simple truth is they buckle under pressure.

Chasing is not an easy proposition under lights at Kingsmead. R.P. is one of the better bowlers in world cricket when there is some help from the conditions. His high arm and perfect wrists are tailor made to conditions he came across on Thursday.

The difference was the length the bowlers hit. When there is bounce in the wicket and help for the ball to swing, it is best to try and hit the three-quarter length.

When pitched slightly short, the ball will also skid off the surface. The hosts banged it in and were successful with the new ball but once the seam lost its hardness there was room for the batsmen to free his arms. India handled the conditions better.

The semifinal line up throws two intriguing contests and battles between totally contrasting styles. India will have an outside chance if they are to bat first. A total above 160 will test the world champions.

The New Zealand-Pakistan clash will be won by the team with the braver heart. Pakistan rely on their flamboyance as much as the Kiwis depend on their water-tight approach. The four best sides may not have made the cut. Those who missed out like South Africa and Sri Lanka did not have the ability to adapt.