Durban, September 21:

India defeated South Africa by 37 runs on Thursday to eliminate the hosts from the World Twenty20 Championship and send New Zealand to the semi-finals.

India scored 153-4 in 20 overs, and then restricted South Africa to 116-9 on a lively pitch at Kingsmead Stadium. South Africa needed 126 runs after India’s innings to advance, but the loss of early wickets consigned them to defeat.

The result pits New Zealand against Pakistan in Cape Town on Saturday, followed by Australia and India here in the other semi-final.

After India won the toss, Rohit Sharma led with an undefeated 50 off 40 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. He shared a 75-run partnership with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was run out for 45 off 33 balls.

South Africa were unable to capitalise after opening bowler Shaun Pollock took 2-17 off four overs. The Proteas began when Herschelle Gibbs was adjudged leg before wicket in the second over off the bowling of Rudra Pratap Singh. Skipper Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers soon followed, reducing South Africa to 12-3.

A 69-run partnership by Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel gave South Africa hope. But Boucher was bowled off an inside edge by S Sreesanth and all resistance crumbled. Boucher and Morkel made 32 runs each, and were the only batsmen to reach double figures.

Rudrap Pratap Singh finished with 4-13 off his four overs, while Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth took two wickets each.