India crush South Africa by 243 runs, keeping unbeaten run intact

Ravindra Jadeja took 5 wickets as the fabled Indian bowling lineup ripped through the South African batters to bundle them out for 83 in 27.1 overs in the World Cup 2023 clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.

Chasing a challenging 327-run target, South Africa kept losing wickets and the entire team was bundled out for 83 runs. India won by a resounding 243 runs, keeping their unbeaten run intact.

Marco Jansen was the top scorer with 14 runs. Rassie van der Dussen made 13 and Temba Bavuma and David Miller 11 runs each. No other Proteas batter could enter double figures.

Ravindra Jadeja bagged five wickets and Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Shami two each while Mohammad Siraj took one wicket.

Virat Kohli was named player of the match.

Earlier, Mohammed Siraj struck for India early on, when he got Quinton de Kock to play on in the very second over. The batter had just completed 1000 runs in Cricket World Cup, off the previous ball.

India pacers further upped the pressure by stringing together a series of dot balls.

Understanding the amount of turn available in the wicket, Rohit Sharma employed Ravindra Jadeja in the Powerplay. The move brought immediate dividends, as Jadeja cleaned the stumps of Temba Bavuma.

And Mohammed Shami finished the Powerplay with yet another wicket, getting Aiden Markram (9) to nick one behind the wicket.

Disciplined bowling ensured that India struck at regular intervals. Jadeja and Shami benefitted from sharp reviews that were taken on their behalf by Rohit.When Jadeja cleaned up David Miller for 11, the South Africa chase was all but over. They were eventually bowled out in the 28th over.

 

 

Kohli is duly awarded the player of the match for his history-making ton, and had this to say post-match:“It was a big game. We are probably playing the toughest team in the tournament. There was motivation to play well. Of course with it being my birthday it definitely made it special. I did wake up with that excitement.”

When the openers start in that fashion, and the ball is new, then you think wow this is a belter [of a pitch]. But then the ball slows down so I looked to bat deep. I need to keep doing the job my team requires me to do. Once we got past 315 we knew it was above par and we were in a comfortable position,” he said.

“I am enjoying playing cricket all over again. You are still able to score runs due to experience, but I am happy that God has blessed me with that enjoyment again.”

“It is all too much to take in right now. To equal my hero’s [Tendulkar’s] record in ODIs is very special to me. I will never be as good as him. There is a reason why we all looked up to him. I am trying to do my best to win games for my country. He will always be my hero.”

Opting to bat first, India made 326 runs for five wickets in stipulated 50 overs.

Openers Rohit Sharma (40) and Shubman Gill (23) provided a solid foundation with a 62-run partnership.

On his birthday, Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 101 runs equaling Sachin Tendulkar's record of highest number of 49 centuries in One Day Internationals.

Shreyas Ayer scored 77. Kohli and Shreyas built a 134-run partnership. Rohit Sharma made 40 runs.

 

 The Men in Blue are already through to the Semifinals. Both India and South Africa have played seven matches till now and India remains the only team unbeaten while South Africa have lost one match.

 India is currently at Number one position with fourteen points followed by South Africa at 2nd place with twelve point.

Earlier, 

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India managed to reach 326 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

Openers Rohit Sharma (40) and Shubman Gill (23) provided a solid foundation with a 62-run partnership.

Virat Kohli (10!) and Shreyas Iyer (77) stitched a 134-run partnership to provide a strong platform to the middle-order batters. Cameos of Ravindra Jadeja (29) and Suryakumar Yadav (22) enabled team India to reach 326/5 in 50 overs.

Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi bagged one wicket each.

India Playing XI: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Suryakumar Yadav, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Mohammed Shami, 9 Jasprit Bumrah, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Mohammed Siraj

South Africa Playing XI: 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Temba Bavuma (c), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi