During the stay for three months in Australia, India seemed to be doing nothing right. Even in the lead up to the world cup during the warm-ups, the only consolation was their win against Afghanistan which is not a Test nation. Come February 15, they crushed Pakistan so clinically with their performance in all the departments, in such an un-Indian style that people thought it was an aberration. On this Sunday (February 22), they did the same to South Africa, who are one of the favourites for the cup, confidently, clinically and convincingly. Mind you, in spite of being the defending champion, India are still not favourites. After India's two victories back to back against Pakistan and South Africa, the pool's top slot seems to be foregone conclusion.
India won the toss and as they did against Pakistan in the opener, decided to bat first. India chose the same eleven that played against Pakistan. South Africa made one change. Wayne Parnell came in for Farhaan Behardien. The experts had indicated that the par score here would be 280-90. So, batting first India knew what to achieve.
Steyn set the tone upfront bowling the first over maiden. In the third over of the innings, it was not the bowler but the fielders who got South Africa the breakthrough. Dhawan pushed the Steyn delivery to the covers, where Duminy made a diving stop, and the ball rolled to AB at extra cover. Rohit had sprinted out of his crease at the non-striker end without realizing that the ball hadn't gone past the fielder. He had come quiet a distance and stumbled while turning. AB hit the stumps direct, and Rohit was found well short. The fourth over from Philander was a maiden and India's score read 9/1.
Need of the hour was a partnership and Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli knew that. They made steady progress in their innings without any flutter. India finished the powerplay with 36/1. South Africa received a jolt when Philander had to leave the field because of hamstring injury. Imran Tahir and Morne Morkel replaced Steyn and Philander. Tahir kept the noose tight whereas Morkel was leaking runs. Both Kohli and Dhawan picked the bowler and went on to score easily. Parnell and Duminy came on attack. Duminy bowled tightly and India targeted Parnell. Dhawan reached his 50 in the 18th over in just 70 balls. In the very first ball of 20th over, Dhawan was dropped at the backward point by Amla when Dhawan cut Parnell. He was at 53.
Both Dhawan and Kohli were progressing with confidence, with the run rate around 4.5. It is rarely seen that Kohli is overshadowed in a partnership but this day was such a day. It was Dhawan who was playing the aggressor role and Kohli was happily playing second fiddle in the partnership. India reached the 100 mark in 22.4 overs and the partnership for 2nd wicket between the two reached 100 in in 23.2 overs. This was Kohli and Dhanwan's second 100 runs stand in as many matches in this competition. It was also India's third 100 runs partnership in this tournament. India just touched the run rate of 5.0 for the first time at the end of 27th over in this innings. Finally there was some relief for the Proteans as Kohli fell to Imran Tahir at the beginning of the 28th over when he hit the ball straight to Faf at short midwicket. Kohli departed for 46 and India were 136/2. Kohli and Dhawan added 127 in 24.2 overs for the 2nd wicket.
This time instead of Raina, Rahane was sent at number 4. Now Rahane and Dhawan went on their business with ease. Now the roles were reversed with Rahane taking the aggressor role and Shikhar doing the consolidation. India chose to target Parnell and with Philander unavailable, AB had no choice but to continue with him. The score kept on ticking, be it singles, or doubles or boundaries. Meanwhile Dhawan reached his century in 122 balls with a four off Parnell at the end of 35th over. Then the two added 44 runs in the batting powerplay. South Africa were seriously on back foot. Both Dhawan and Rahane added 100 runs in 82 balls. Rahane reached his 50 in 40 balls at the end of 41st over. Indian innings was going from strength to strength. Rahane and Dhawan added 125 in 16.3 overs for the 3rd wicket. Towards the end of 44th over, Dhawan fell to Parnell attempting a pull. Dhawan had scored 137, which is his personal best and which is also the highest score versus South Africa in world cup. Previous record was of Stephen Fleming in 2003 - 134*.
Raina, Rahane and Jadeja too fell in quick succession. Dhoni played a cameo in the end to take India's score past 300 and finally reach 307. It was very much similar to that against Pakistan where India scored only 27 in last 5 overs, here they scored 36. It is a strange coincidence that India's batting effort were very similar to that against Pakistan in their opener. Two successive century stands, for the second and third wickets; One batsman hit a hundred and the No. 4 provided the push; Apart from the centurion and no. 4 batsman, there was one more batsman in the top order who contributed; Last 5 overs, the team could not capitalize on the good start; Dhoni scored quick fire 18 in both the games; Only three bowlers in the opponent team completed their quota of 10 overs; Ashwin and Shami were at the crease when the innings ended and in total 7 wickets had fallen.
Now, with the batting line up that South Africa boasts of, the chase was not impossible but it was not going to be easy as well. Whatever be the quality of batsmen, the pressure of chasing is always there. Umesh and Shami started the bowling with great control and in the right areas. In the 4th over, de Kock was dismissed by Shami, Kohli taking the catch at mid-off. This was the first time that de Kock had not scored a century against India. South Africa were 12/1. Mohit Sharma came to bowl in the power play itself and he too continued the good work. Indians kept the pressure on and Faf could hardly score. South Africa finished the powerplay with 38/1 on the board.
Amla finally relented to the pressure and just after the powerplay, in attempting to pull a Mohit delivery, he top edged the ball which Shami took comfortably at long leg moving back. He ensured that he did not step on the rope. South Africa were 40/2 in 10.2 overs.
AB with Faf started to build their partnership. AB was scoring just below the run a ball and Faf who began cautiously had also started teeing off. They had added 50 runs for the third wicket in 58 balls. South Africa reached 100 in 21.4 balls. At the start of the 23rd over both these batsmen had added 68 runs off 75 balls and was slowly developing into a threat for the Indians. Although at this point of time, required run rate was 7.17, there was always a possibility that if these two stayed till the end, a win for South Africa was inevitable. But India's bowling kept the pressure on. The first 4 balls of the 23rd over were dots. At this point of time, the feature of Indian cricket that is talked about very little came for India's rescue - Fielding. AB played Jadeja to the sweeper cover where Mohit ran to his left from sweeper cover and threw in a flat throw to Dhoni who removed the bails in a flash. AB went for the second run that was not there and paid the price. South Africa at 108/3 in 22 overs. The anxiety was evident in their camp. If India could get AB run out the way they did, then it was evident that it was going to be India's day.
In form Miller joined du Plessis. du Plessis completed his half century in 65 balls. Indian bowlers were not relenting a bit. The required run rate was going up. On the first ball of 29th over, Faf feeling the pressure came down the track but could not middle it properly and gave a catch straight to mid-off. South Africa were 133/4 now. Duminy came to join Miller now and much was expected of this pair as this was the last recognized batting pair. Pressure of required run rate was taking a toll. Duminy went for the reverse sweep off Ashwin resulting into a simple catch for Raina at slip.
India's fielding came to the fore again when Miller, also returning for a second run, was found just short, as a result of Mohit like throw by Umesh. With Miller gone, it was mere a formality. South African team folded in just 40.2 overs and handed over India a comprehensive 130-run victory with nearly 10 overs to spare. India had finally defeated South Africa in a World Cup match. 86,786 fans, majority of whom were Indian supporters, in one of the biggest cricket ground in the world witnessed India end its world cup jinx against South Africa. South Africa wilted under the pressure created by Indian bowlers.
An interesting statistic to quote here would be that India had never lost on the six previous occasions when Dhawan had made a One-Day International ton and this match was no different.
Both India and South Africa looked totally different side in these two matches. If India showed just why no one was writing them off even after their disastrous tour of Australia, South Africa showed how much ever favourites they may be to win the title, there are still areas that they need to work on and one of the critical issue that they need to address is the no. 7 slot.
India won the toss and as they did against Pakistan in the opener, decided to bat first. India chose the same eleven that played against Pakistan. South Africa made one change. Wayne Parnell came in for Farhaan Behardien. The experts had indicated that the par score here would be 280-90. So, batting first India knew what to achieve.
Steyn set the tone upfront bowling the first over maiden. In the third over of the innings, it was not the bowler but the fielders who got South Africa the breakthrough. Dhawan pushed the Steyn delivery to the covers, where Duminy made a diving stop, and the ball rolled to AB at extra cover. Rohit had sprinted out of his crease at the non-striker end without realizing that the ball hadn't gone past the fielder. He had come quiet a distance and stumbled while turning. AB hit the stumps direct, and Rohit was found well short. The fourth over from Philander was a maiden and India's score read 9/1.
Need of the hour was a partnership and Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli knew that. They made steady progress in their innings without any flutter. India finished the powerplay with 36/1. South Africa received a jolt when Philander had to leave the field because of hamstring injury. Imran Tahir and Morne Morkel replaced Steyn and Philander. Tahir kept the noose tight whereas Morkel was leaking runs. Both Kohli and Dhawan picked the bowler and went on to score easily. Parnell and Duminy came on attack. Duminy bowled tightly and India targeted Parnell. Dhawan reached his 50 in the 18th over in just 70 balls. In the very first ball of 20th over, Dhawan was dropped at the backward point by Amla when Dhawan cut Parnell. He was at 53.
Both Dhawan and Kohli were progressing with confidence, with the run rate around 4.5. It is rarely seen that Kohli is overshadowed in a partnership but this day was such a day. It was Dhawan who was playing the aggressor role and Kohli was happily playing second fiddle in the partnership. India reached the 100 mark in 22.4 overs and the partnership for 2nd wicket between the two reached 100 in in 23.2 overs. This was Kohli and Dhanwan's second 100 runs stand in as many matches in this competition. It was also India's third 100 runs partnership in this tournament. India just touched the run rate of 5.0 for the first time at the end of 27th over in this innings. Finally there was some relief for the Proteans as Kohli fell to Imran Tahir at the beginning of the 28th over when he hit the ball straight to Faf at short midwicket. Kohli departed for 46 and India were 136/2. Kohli and Dhawan added 127 in 24.2 overs for the 2nd wicket.
This time instead of Raina, Rahane was sent at number 4. Now Rahane and Dhawan went on their business with ease. Now the roles were reversed with Rahane taking the aggressor role and Shikhar doing the consolidation. India chose to target Parnell and with Philander unavailable, AB had no choice but to continue with him. The score kept on ticking, be it singles, or doubles or boundaries. Meanwhile Dhawan reached his century in 122 balls with a four off Parnell at the end of 35th over. Then the two added 44 runs in the batting powerplay. South Africa were seriously on back foot. Both Dhawan and Rahane added 100 runs in 82 balls. Rahane reached his 50 in 40 balls at the end of 41st over. Indian innings was going from strength to strength. Rahane and Dhawan added 125 in 16.3 overs for the 3rd wicket. Towards the end of 44th over, Dhawan fell to Parnell attempting a pull. Dhawan had scored 137, which is his personal best and which is also the highest score versus South Africa in world cup. Previous record was of Stephen Fleming in 2003 - 134*.
Raina, Rahane and Jadeja too fell in quick succession. Dhoni played a cameo in the end to take India's score past 300 and finally reach 307. It was very much similar to that against Pakistan where India scored only 27 in last 5 overs, here they scored 36. It is a strange coincidence that India's batting effort were very similar to that against Pakistan in their opener. Two successive century stands, for the second and third wickets; One batsman hit a hundred and the No. 4 provided the push; Apart from the centurion and no. 4 batsman, there was one more batsman in the top order who contributed; Last 5 overs, the team could not capitalize on the good start; Dhoni scored quick fire 18 in both the games; Only three bowlers in the opponent team completed their quota of 10 overs; Ashwin and Shami were at the crease when the innings ended and in total 7 wickets had fallen.
Now, with the batting line up that South Africa boasts of, the chase was not impossible but it was not going to be easy as well. Whatever be the quality of batsmen, the pressure of chasing is always there. Umesh and Shami started the bowling with great control and in the right areas. In the 4th over, de Kock was dismissed by Shami, Kohli taking the catch at mid-off. This was the first time that de Kock had not scored a century against India. South Africa were 12/1. Mohit Sharma came to bowl in the power play itself and he too continued the good work. Indians kept the pressure on and Faf could hardly score. South Africa finished the powerplay with 38/1 on the board.
Amla finally relented to the pressure and just after the powerplay, in attempting to pull a Mohit delivery, he top edged the ball which Shami took comfortably at long leg moving back. He ensured that he did not step on the rope. South Africa were 40/2 in 10.2 overs.
AB with Faf started to build their partnership. AB was scoring just below the run a ball and Faf who began cautiously had also started teeing off. They had added 50 runs for the third wicket in 58 balls. South Africa reached 100 in 21.4 balls. At the start of the 23rd over both these batsmen had added 68 runs off 75 balls and was slowly developing into a threat for the Indians. Although at this point of time, required run rate was 7.17, there was always a possibility that if these two stayed till the end, a win for South Africa was inevitable. But India's bowling kept the pressure on. The first 4 balls of the 23rd over were dots. At this point of time, the feature of Indian cricket that is talked about very little came for India's rescue - Fielding. AB played Jadeja to the sweeper cover where Mohit ran to his left from sweeper cover and threw in a flat throw to Dhoni who removed the bails in a flash. AB went for the second run that was not there and paid the price. South Africa at 108/3 in 22 overs. The anxiety was evident in their camp. If India could get AB run out the way they did, then it was evident that it was going to be India's day.
In form Miller joined du Plessis. du Plessis completed his half century in 65 balls. Indian bowlers were not relenting a bit. The required run rate was going up. On the first ball of 29th over, Faf feeling the pressure came down the track but could not middle it properly and gave a catch straight to mid-off. South Africa were 133/4 now. Duminy came to join Miller now and much was expected of this pair as this was the last recognized batting pair. Pressure of required run rate was taking a toll. Duminy went for the reverse sweep off Ashwin resulting into a simple catch for Raina at slip.
India's fielding came to the fore again when Miller, also returning for a second run, was found just short, as a result of Mohit like throw by Umesh. With Miller gone, it was mere a formality. South African team folded in just 40.2 overs and handed over India a comprehensive 130-run victory with nearly 10 overs to spare. India had finally defeated South Africa in a World Cup match. 86,786 fans, majority of whom were Indian supporters, in one of the biggest cricket ground in the world witnessed India end its world cup jinx against South Africa. South Africa wilted under the pressure created by Indian bowlers.
An interesting statistic to quote here would be that India had never lost on the six previous occasions when Dhawan had made a One-Day International ton and this match was no different.
Both India and South Africa looked totally different side in these two matches. If India showed just why no one was writing them off even after their disastrous tour of Australia, South Africa showed how much ever favourites they may be to win the title, there are still areas that they need to work on and one of the critical issue that they need to address is the no. 7 slot.
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