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Saturday, 22 September 2007, 22:49 GMT 23:49 UK

India set sights on 'dream' final

Dhoni and Yuvraj celebrate India's leading players admitted the magnitude of a World Twenty20 final against arch-rivals Pakistan after beating Australia in the semi-final.

"It's the biggest stage and the biggest match you can play," said captain Mahendra Dhoni.

"It's a match that needs to be played with intensity, and I think we are ready to do that."

Star batsman Yuvraj Singh added: "India v Pakistan is always a big game. It's a dream to get that match-up."

India defeated Australia by 15 runs in a thrilling floodlit semi-final, hours after Pakistan had overcome New Zealand by six wickets.

The Asian rivals have a single day off before going head to head in the final and Dhoni emphasised the importance not to be overcome by the size of the occasion.

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"The pressure will be immense [but] I don't believe in taking pressure and none of my team do either," he said.

"Taking the pressure on board will not help you perform. It will bring down your confidence."

Australia's stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist expressed frustration at a rare defeat for the side in a major tournament.

"We'll go away and talk about it, we'll realise this format is probably going to have a big impact on world cricket.

"We need to analyse and put some thought into it. There's no-one up there in our dressing room who doesn't care about it," he said.

"It's annoying and frustrating if you go into a competition hoping to win it and you don't."



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Related to this story:

India see off Aussies in thriller (22 Sep 07 |  Cricket )
Australia v India as it happened (22 Sep 07 |  Cricket )
Watson forced out of India tour (21 Sep 07 |  Australia )
India win knocks out South Africa (20 Sep 07 |  Cricket )
India's Yuvraj smashes six sixes (19 Sep 07 |  Cricket )
Australia power into semi-finals (20 Sep 07 |  Cricket )

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