ICC World Cup 2019 Match 8

India vs South Africa Played at Southampton on 5 June 2019

Brief Score Card: India 230/4 in 47.3 overs (RG Sharma 122, MS Dhoni 34, KL Rahul 26, K Rabada 2/39) beat South Africa 227/9 (CH Morris 42, F du Plessis 38, AL Phehlulkyao 34, D Miller 31, K Rabada 31, YS Chahal 4/51, J Bumrah 2/34, B Kumar 2/44) by 6 wickets.

DHAKA: Fresh India appearing for the first time on the 7th day of ICC world Cup 2019 against bruised and battered South Africa from defeats against England and Bangladesh added more insult to their rub winning comfortably by 6 wickets. Batting first South Africa could manage a well below par 227/9 failing to cope with the top quality diverse bowling attack of India. Depleted Protean bowling could take four wickets: Dhawan, Kohli, Rahul and Dhoni. Prolific R Sharma (122*) scored yet another unbeaten trademark ODI century. 

India won big by 6 wickets. Losing the first three matches in the trot (first time in the history of South African Cricket) the mission World Cup of South Africa is all but over. Theoretically South Africa still have a chance. But for that they will need winning all the remaining 6 matches. India on the other hand kicked off their mission in grand fashion. To me India appears as the best equipped team having great all round ability. They have all fronts covered. Batting possibly the second best behind England but bowling looks all corners covered.  It is too early concluding but to me it appears if India field well they will possibly lift the cup with out requiring any back door parleys.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat knowing well the batting strength of Team India and history of Southampton wicket of run feast. But soon top quality Indian attack Bumrah and Kumar started talking. Q de Kock and Amla perished in no time. Du Plessis (38) and HE van der Dussen (22) struggled for a while. But leggie Chahal running his mysterious web around, bemused protean batting to meek submission. His partnership with Kuldeep Yadav and Kedar Jadhav did not allow much liberty.  The best efforts o f Morris (42) Miller (32) and Pehlulkwayo (34) could only prolong the innings to 227/9. In reality on a easy paced with against strong Indian batting it was a cake walk win for them. Taking 4/51 Chahal did most of the damage. His googlies, flippers were not decoded. Kumar with 2/ 44 and Bumrah with 2/ 35 announced strong indications for competitiveness against stronger batting resources.

Target of 228 never appeared challenging for India. Still they took it easy for batting practice. However, the only survival member of the South African pace trio K Rabada (Dale Steyn ruled out in the tournament and Lungi Ngidi nursing injury) removing Dhawan and Rahul created some excitement. Phehlukwayo took the wicket of Kohli and Morris accounted for Dhoni. Prolific R Sharma produced yet another stroke full unbeaten century 122 took the team calmly across. His innings featured with 13 fours and 2 sixes. 

People talk about Indian batting. To me appeared that Indian bowling has the potential for winning them the World Cup. 

BDST: 1013 HRS, JUN 6, 2019
SI