India set up 'Final Date' with Pakistan

COLLECTED BY: RISHI KAPOOR

The script couldn't have been written any better.

India continued their fairytale run at the Twenty20 World Championship with a 15-run win over One-Day world champions Australia in the semi-final at the Kingsmead in Durban on Saturday.

The win set up the dream final - India versus Pakistan on Monday at the New Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Batting first, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag threatened to put together yet another good opening stand before Mitchell Johnson got rid of the pair. While Sehwag perished for nine, Gambhir was out for 24 runs.

But that proved to be a blessing in disguise for India with Yuvraj Singh, back in the team, after missing out against South Africa picked up from where he left off against England.

A torrent of sixes and fours flowed from his bat as he raced to his half-century off a mere 20 balls and with Robin Uthappa providing able support; the pair added 84 runs in just 6.3 overs.

Although Uthappa departed for 34, Yuvraj didn't slow down reaching 70 in just 30 balls before Michael Hussey took his catch off Michael Clarke.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni provided the icing on the cake with a final flourish as India reached a formidable 188-5 in their 20 overs.

The veteran Australian opening pair of Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden began the job in earnest with breathtaking strokes. India needed a breakthrough and it came courtesy S Sreesanth as he bowled Gilchrist for 22.

Brad Hodge didn't last too long with Irfan Pathan claiming his wicket but the thorn in the Indian flesh Hayden remained.

He had scored three half-centuries in the tournament so far and went on to his fourth with some big strokes as his 50 came in just 40 balls.