ICC Champions Trophy: close encounters

2002 ICC Champions Trophy:

India Vs South Africa, Colombo, 25 September

Sehwag scored a vital 59 and took 3 crucial wickets in this encounter against South Africa

South Africa had a early hiccup in the tournament coming into the match, winning against the West Indies off the last ball. Whereas India, on the back of 2 comfortable victories against England and Zimbabwe, had the momentum with them. This match was the first semi final of the 2002 edition. South Africa’s bowling attack comprised the likes of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock and Ntini, whereas India’s attack was relatively young and inexperienced.

India won the toss in this crucial encounter and chose to bat. Sehwag started the innings in an aggressive mode, piling runs at a decent pace before a mishit would send him to the pavilion with the score at 108-3 in the 18th over. Sehwag, with his innings of 59 off 58, provided the initial momentum for India. After Sachin’s run-out, Dravid and Yuvraj would join hands and forge a partnership worth 72 off 93 balls. After Dravid’s dismissal, Yuvraj took control of the proceedings and helped India post 261 for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs.

South Africa, set a target of 262, suffered an early loss of Graeme Smith, with Yuvraj taking a stunner at point. Then Kallis and Gibbs together would put on a mammoth partnership of 178 runs and put South Africa in the driver’s seat, with only 70 needed off 78 deliveries. Gibbs would then get dehydrated and leave the field, slightly opening the door for India. Then hope for India came in the form of Yuvraj Singh, who dove to his right and took a mind blowing catch to dismiss Jonty Rhodes. Then Boeta Dippennar would be dismissed without troubling the scorers, opening up the match for India. India dried up the runs as pressure started to mount on South Africa. The Proteas were made to score 21 runs of the final over and Sehwag was handed the ball. Kallis would hit the first ball for a six and subsequently get dismissed, ending the hopes for South Africa and setting up a win for India by a mere margin of 10 runs.

This victory propelled India to the finals where rain would play spoilsport and the trophy would be shared between Sri Lanka and India.