DHAKA: After cementing their place in Sunday’s final against Sri Lanka by defeating South Africa in World T20 semi final, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Friday praised his players’ self-belief in their capability of chasing down the massive target of 173.

“There was a sense of calm in the dressing room when we went out to bat,” he said.

“Everybody saw that the wicket was better than those we have played on, and they believed they could chase this down. It is not just the self-belief, but the belief in each other that is crucial,” Dhoni said, praising Virat Kohli who scored 72 not out.

Kohli, who reached his seventh T20 international half-century with a six to Tahir over the mid-wicket fence, finished off the game with a four to mid-wicket in style.

“There are not many who are as consistent as Virat. It is great to have him at number three,” said Dhoni of the ace batsman who played just three dot balls in his innings.

South African captain Faf du Plessis also praised India and Kohli.

“We put up a good total but the bad thing is, MS and his team know how to chase,” said Du Plessis, adding, “They have done it many times and Virat played a great innings.”

“I thought we batted excellently,” du Plessis said after South Africa once again failed to pull it off at a big game in an ICC world event.

“It was a very good score against a good attack on this wicket but they know how to chase and Virat played a great innings.”

Kohli smashed five boundaries and two sixes off 44 balls in a brilliant display of batting, highlighting India's strength at chasing a target.

“Today was one of those days when I had to keep my cool against a world-class attack with the boundaries not coming,” Kohli said.

“In Twenty20, I look at the target in number of runs and overs to go, not runs and balls to go because that makes it look easier.”