There is a first time to everything. And how well India has proved that right! India was fourth time lucky and managed to break the jinx of not winning against South Africa in a world cup game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground which was packed with more than 86000 fans of which most were Indians.
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The day started in the perfect manner with Mahendra Singh Dhoni making the right call during the toss. And there was no hesitation in deciding to bat first. Shikhar Dhawan and the rest of Indian batsmen proved how crucial was that toss to win as they made use of the good batting conditions to post a huge total of 307-7 in 50 overs. Shikhar Dhawan led the charge with a career best 134 and the others played around him to unsettle the Protean bowlers. Virat Kohli (46) also played a crucial part as he helped Dhawan in building the innings after they had weathered the early storm especially after the fall of Rohit Sharma as early as in the 3rd over. After the fall of Kohli, Rahane (79) came in and played an absolute gem of an innings as the South Africans simply had no idea of how to get him out. India’s total could have been 15-20 runs more than what he had managed to score but the South Africans pulled it back a little towards the end with some quick wickets. Dale Steyn bowled well towards the end but the damage was done much earlier, in the middle overs, when Dhawan and Rahane scored at a brisk pace. Also Vernon Philander getting injured early on did not help South Africa’s cause either.
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Coming on to chase 308 on a drop-in pitch at the MCG, South Africa never made the best of the starts as they lost Quinton De Kock very early to Mohammad Shami. Hashim Amla (22) followed him after he was peppered with some short stuff. AB De Villiers and Faf du Plessis then took charge of the proceedings and just when it seemed that they had the run chase under control came the turning point of the match. Mohit Sharma’s throw from the deep not only denied De Villiers a second run but also got him out at a crucial juncture. It was some disciplined bowling backed up some scintillating fielding that led to that run out. And India did not have to look back after that dismissal. After De Villiers’s dismissal South Africa fell apart like a house of cards. From 107-2, they were all out for 177 giving India the taste of victory over South Africa for the first time in a world cup game. Ashwin turned out to be the pick of the Indian bowlers with 3 wickets as Shami picked up 2. But those couple of run outs, more importantly the one of AB De Villiers, turned the match on its head.
With this win India went on to the top of the Pool B with 4 points, courtesy to the two wins in two matches. South Africa, on the other hand, went down to the fifth spot to stay ahead of only Pakistan and UAE with one win in two matches. India will be next up against UAE which does not seem to be the toughest of the opponents but India needs to be consistent for you cannot take any team in this world cup too lightly.
Tags: Cricket ICC World Cup 2015 india Shikhar Dhawan South Africa World Cup 2015 World Cup cricket
