A first for Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar admitted he had never got so many reprieves in his 21-year international career as he did in the semi-final against Pakistan which India went on to win by 29 runs.

Tendulkar was fluent at the start of his innings but struggled against the spinners was dropped four times during his 115-ball 85 and saw a leg before wicket decision reversed.

"Five lives! God has been kind to me. It is not something which has happened to me earlier," Tendulkar said during a post match interview.

Tendulkar was named man-of-the-match for what was easily one of his most unconvincing innings after the Indian bowlers put in a collective effort in defending a total of 260.

The win set up a clash with Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Tendulkar's homeground.

Hopefully, we will put our best performance in all three departments. Sri Lanka are a great team. They play well and know the conditions well. It will be a wonderful occasion to play the final in Mumbai. All we would like is to remain calm and focused and get the job done."

Tendulkar also said being part of a team that has won all the five matches against Pakistan at the World Cup was a 'special memory that he would always cherish' and was also lavish in his praise for Suresh Raina, whose unbeaten 36 at the end of the innings proved invaluable in context of the end result.

"Raina played a special knock. When we started batting, I felt that 310-315 was par-score. But as the spinners came on the ball was stopping and coming. Then I thought that 265-270 will be a good score to defend," Tendulkar stated.