Cricinfo
India (Yuvraj 70, Johnson 2-31) beat Australia (Hayden 62, Sreesanth 2-13) by 15 runs
Sep 22: Throughout this tournament India have never failed to surprise and it was especially manifest today. The full-house at Kingsmead, with half the Indian diaspora in attendance, were given a treat of their lives as India beat Australia by 15 runs in a nail-biting finish. Yuvraj Singh, in line for being voted player of the tournament for his six-balls-six sixes-heroics against England just three days back, came to the party yet again with an effortless 70 that spurred India to a competitive total of 188.
Australia, however, demonstrated their mettle, as always rising to the big occasion, with Mathew Hayden giving them a solid start with a powerful 62 and putting them on course for a seemingly comfortable win. Sreesanth was the only Indian bowler who was really penetrative early on and the Australians took advantage of India's lack of a good fifth bowler But the spirited Indians provided a late twist to the tale as their bowlers, especially Harbhajan, RP Singh and Joginder Sharma, bowled immaculately to put Australia out of contention.
A young Indian team, aggressive and irreverent in a format of the game where they have had precious little practice prior to this tournament, continue their golden run and now go on to the final at The Wanderers where they meet traditional rival Pakistan in what will be an even more high-voltage clash .
Three nights earlier, Yuvraj Singh had struck six sixes in an over as India overwhelmed England. On Saturday, it was the turn of the other half of the Ashes rivalry to suffer as he creamed 70 from just 30 balls to take India to an imposing total of 188 for 5 at Kingsmead. Australia, who had already lost twice in the competition, needed to score at nearly 10 an over to ruin the enthralling prospect of an all-subcontinent final.
It wasn't just a one-man show though, with Robin Uthappa contributing 34 to an electrifying 84-run partnership with Yuvraj and Mahendra Singh Dhoni providing a devastating 36-run cameo at the finish, but once again the headlines were stolen by Yuvraj's crisp hitting.
Having missed the South Africa game after his 12-ball half-century against England, he carried on in the same vein, pulling Stuart Clark, the top wicket-taker in the competition, for a huge six over midwicket. Adam Gilchrist responded by bringing back Brett Lee, but Yuvraj responded with a sensational pick-up short over square leg for six, taking India to 60 for 2 at the halfway stage, marginally better than the 57 for 3 they had against South Africa.
What followed though was carnage. Andrew Symonds came on and was straight away flicked for four, before both Yuvraj and Uthappa both pulled him for six as 19 came from the over. Neither Bracken's slower variations nor Clark's steadiness could stem the tide, as Yuvraj played sumptuous shots over cover, before another massive pull for six off Clark took him to 50 from just 20 balls.
Clark went for 21 in that over, and the return of Mitchell Johnson was just as expensive, with Uthappa stepping down the track to slam a six over long-off before leaning back to pull another over midwicket. Australia were wobbly on their feet, but respite came in the shape of a nonchalant direct hit from Symonds after Yuvraj had turned down Uthappa for a single.
Dhoni, usually a watchful starter, was into his stride right away, carving Symonds down the ground, and with Yuvraj carrying on merrily, Gilchrist turned to his final bowling option, Michael Clarke. The first ball was heaved for six over midwicket, but Yuvraj didn't quite time the next one, and Michael Hussey ran in to take the catch.
There was still time for a final flourish, with Dhoni slamming two big sixes and Rohit Sharma contributing a beautiful straight one of his own as India rattled off an amazing 128 runs in the second half of the innings.
Such pyrotechnics weren't in evidence early on, especially once Virender Sehwag appeared to tweak his hamstring. Rohit Sharma arrived as runner and it wasn't till the fourth over that the innings gathered some momentum, with Gambhir cutting and edging for four.
Clark and Johnson were next into the firing line, and Sehwag greeted Johnson with a magnificent square-drive for four. It was a false dawn though. The next ball lifted appreciably, and Sehwag's attempted cut only found Gilchrist's gloves via the top edge.
Uthappa creamed one through the covers off Johnson to get going, but was then reprieved as Clarke tipped over a difficult chance at point. At the other end, Gambhir had got to 24 from as many balls when he pulled Clark to deep midwicket. Brad Hodge overran the ball, but recovered superbly to pouch a low catch.
Australia were well on top at that stage, but then Yuvraj arrived to stamp his class and authority on the proceedings. If Australia were to escape from this bind, they really would need to play like world champions.