September 22, 2007	Saturday	Ramazan 09, 1428

DURBAN, Sept 21: Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and key batsman Yuvraj Singh will take the field in Saturday’s Twenty20 World Championship semi-final against Australia after recovering from injuries.

Yuvraj missed Thursday’s crucial encounter against South Africa due to tendonitis in his left elbow sustained against England the previous day in which he hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over.

Dhoni, suffering back pain, handed the wicket-keeping gloves to Dinesh Karthik in the 37-run win over South Africa which propelled India to the top of group E in the Super Eights round.“I am still smiling so I will hopefully play the next match,” said Dhoni. “It was just a strain in the lower back, on the right hand side. I had the luxury of having Karthik in the side, who is a specialist wicket-keeper.

“I did not want to aggravate the injury. I think hopefully it will be fine before the semi-final.”

Dhoni said Yuvraj also will be fit against the formidable Australians, adding the left-hander was rested against South Africa as a precautionary measure.

“Yuvraj had a bit of a problem with his elbow but he should be ready for the next match as well,” the Indian captain said. “It was decided to leave out Yuvraj at the last moment. We wanted to assess his condition and see what exactly the situation was. We wanted to save him for the rest of the season.

“There is no point playing someone who is not fit just for the sake of the team, because throughout the year we play cricket.”

An inspired India, restricted to 153-5 in a game they had to win to stay afloat, hit back to stop South Africa to 116-9 in a rousing finish at the Kingsmead on Thursday night.

India, South Africa and New Zealand finished group E of the Super Eights on four points each, but India took the Kiwis along into the semi-finals due to superior net run-rates.

While India await Australia at the Kingsmead here on Saturday night, New Zealand meet group F leaders Pakistan at the Newlands in Cape Town the same afternoon.

Dhoni said his team’s display against the South Africans gave him hope for the semi-final.

“We knew the South Africa game would be among the toughest matches we would play in the whole tournament,” he stated. “It was their home ground and the conditions were favourable for them, so we were under pressure and we did not get the start we were looking for.”

The captain also had high praise for 20-year-old Sharma, who was named man of the match ahead of Rudra Pratap.

“It was a brilliant performance by Rohit,” said Dhoni. “He has been sat out for ages and did not play in England, yet he came out and helped us recover.

“It is always a challenge to play Australia because they are the best team in the world, but I am sure we will be up to the challenge.”—AFP