ICC World T20: India v South Africa: 6 things to watch out for

Unbeaten. High on confidence. Bubbling with energy. Enjoying their cricket. Team India have had a near perfect campaign in the T20 World Cup so far.They will be looking to continue that good form when they take on the Proteas in the semifinal in Mirpur on Friday.Here are six of the biggest things to look forward to in the big semifinal.

#1 Amit Mishra\'s dream run - will it continue?

Amit Mishra has had a superb return to international cricket. He has ensured that MS Dhoni hasn't had too many headaches as far as the bowling is concerned. Mishra has effectively mixed his deliveries using the googly and the flipper potently.

It has been a joy to watch Mishra entice batsmen by tossing the ball up, and with the purchase he has got out of the Mirpur track, he himself has enjoyed it. Mishra's impressive run only presses one to ask why he wasn't picked earlier.

#2 Ravichandran Ashwin\'s resurgence

Ravichandran Ashwin has finally found his range back. There is finally some zip on his off-break, and the carrom ball is being used sparingly, as it should be. Ashwin is not fiddling with his action. Like Mishra, he too is flighting the ball and giving it a rip.

Be it in the Powerplay or in the middle overs, Ashwin has kept the scoring down and has picked up wickets. His return to form is good news for MS Dhoni who is a master manouevring his spinners around.

#3 AB de Villiers

When de Villiers plays well, South Africa's chances of winning increase multifold. He is one such player who has the ability to change the game within the blink of an eye. de Villiers will have his work cut out though, against the standout bowling outfit of the tournament. The way de Villiers handles the spinners will be crucial to the outcome of this game.

#4 Imran Tahir

While India have had their own arsenal of spinners, South Africa have had Imran Tahir who has done a sterling job. Tahir was the highest wicket taker in the Super 10 stage, and bailed South Africa out of a couple of embarrassing situations, particularly against the Netherlands, where the Proteas found themselves on a particularly sticky wicket. Against India, who generally play spin very well, Tahir will have to be at the very top of his game.

#5 Dale Steyn vs Indian batsmen

If South Africa find themselves in the semifinal, they have to thank Dale Steyn for the sensational last over he bowled against New Zealand. Once again, the pace of Steyn will have to come to their aid. The Indian batsmen struglled against Steyn through the South African summer, and more of the same will be welcome for the Proteas. Steyn will look to pepper the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma with short stuff early on, and look to make early inroads.

#6 MS Dhoni vs Faf du Plessis

When the ball is turning and he has spinners at his disposal, MS Dhoni is an absolute master. While conditions are not likely to change, the captain who handles pressure better will see their side have a distinct advantage. du Plessis has made a few questionable calls in this tournament, chief of them being not giving Steyn first crack at the new ball. Teammates for the Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni and du Plessis would know each other well as one looks to outwit the other.