World T20: Spin holds the key as India take on South Africa in semis

Dhaka: It has been a strange World T20 so far. Chris Gayle has misfired, catches have gone down, Pakistan has failed to reach semis, Rohit Sharma has been among runs, a West Indian pacer had keeper standing up, pitches have offered bite and spinners have thrived. Barring Darren Sammy, no batsman has really set the stage afire, though Alex Hales, AB deVilliers and Yuvraj Singh have provided sporadic sparks. And yes, Amit Mishra and Imran Tahir have represented their nations (with some distinction, it may be added), and quite incredulously, hold the key in the second semi-final between India and South Africa here on Friday.

That South Africa are playing a spinner is a surprise; that they are playing a leg-spinner is almost shocking, considering their well documented travails with wrist-spin (ask Daryl Cullinan if you must!). The Proteas never had a spinner worth remembering post Paul Adams, and while Imran Tahir qualifies as a South African more by technicality (he is a Pakistani married to a South African) than tradition, he may find increased acceptance in his adopted home post this World T20. With 11 wickets in four games in the event, Tahir has sped past Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel as his side’s leading man with the ball, and along with his Indian counterpart, figures rather prominently in tournament’s top-five wicket takers.

Meanwhile, his opposite number from India has been spinning a fairytale of his won. Mishra bore the brunt of practicing leg-spin in the era of Anil Kumble and a defensive skipper, but came into his own under an enterprising Virat Kohli in Asia Cup. While Mishra’s guile was drowned in the din of Afridi’s heroics, it didn’t go entirely unnoticed. He announced his umpteenth re-entry with twin Man of the Match efforts, and has taken wickets in every game. With 9 wickets, he is easily India’s best bowler in the event. Like Tahir, he has not shied from challenging the batsmen with his flight, and has used his stocky frame to good effect to get the loop and stifling trajectory going. If he sticks to his plans, he may be a handful for South African middle order that does not exactly pride itself in playing spin. His biggest task will be to get rid of AB deVilliers as early as he can, for not only is AB the best player of spin in his side, he is more than capable of turning the screws in final overs.

Tahir, admittedly, faces a sterner test. Against a side that never loses sleep over spin and turn, Tahir would be hoping to shock them ala Ajantha Mendis. He will be up against Virat Kohli and an under –utilised middle order, and would certainly be encouraged to find an assortment of strokemakers in opposition ranks. Tahir, however, will do well to vary his pace and length cleverly, and use his height to get the dip. He needs to be accurate, and hit the middle and leg line consistently to the right-handers. He doesn’t possess too many variations, but has a telling googly, and if would have really listened to Shane Warne in nets, trust him to come up with a potent flipper as well.

Indian bowling has been most economical among all teams in the event (6.17runs per over), while South Africans have been the second highest wicket takers (27). On a turning Mirpur track, these stats will assume practical prudence.

India have played Proteas in knock-out stages of an ICC event thrice, and have come out trumps on all occasions. Overall, Men in Blue have played seven T20 internationals against South Africa, and won five- the most they have against any side. While South Africa would like to shed their infamous ‘chokers’ tag for once, India would be hoping to do all they can on the field to douse simmering off-field developments back home. Pass on the popcorns, please.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Ajinkya Rahane, Amit Mishra and Varun Aaron.

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper, AB de Villiers, Farhan Behardien, JP Duminy, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Beuran Hendricks, Wayne Parnell, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Aaron Phangiso.

Match starts at 6.30 PM IST