Team India has entered the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy Cricket tournament, after a gap of 11 years. In their second league match played at the Oval yesterday, the Men in Blue defeated the West Indies by 8 wickets to register their second victory in as many games. With this, Pakistan's hopes of making it to the knock-out stage have come to an end. Our correspondent reports that Pakistan has lost both the matches played in the tournament so far, and is at the bottom of Group-B.Our correspondent adds that It was exceptional cricket from MS Dhoni and Co., who rode on a herculean 101-run opening wicket stand between Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, overhauling the West Indian total of 233 in just 39.1 overs. Put into bat, the Windies got off to a decent start. However, spinner Ravinder Jadeja, with a brilliant 5-wicket burst, stemmed the Caribbean dominance, restricting them to 182 for 9 at one stage. But, an end-of-innings cameo from Skipper Darren Sammy, who scored 56 off 35 balls, got the Windies back into the game. In a thrilling riposte, Dhawan and Sharma played intelligently, giving India a wonder start. Rain delayed India's triumph for a while, but at the end it was Team India standing tall at the top of Group-B. Dhawan made an unbeaten 102, while Rohit Sharma scored 52. Dhawan, for whom it was the second consecutive hundred, was again adjudged man of the match.India will take on Pakistan in their third and final Group match at Birmingham on Saturday.In today's Group-A fixture, defending champions Australia will take on New Zealand at Birmingham.
News On AIR | June 12, 2013 8:26 AM
ICC Champions Trophy; India beat WI by 8 wkts; enter semis