90 000
spectators live at the MCG and millions others around the world watched with
great enthusiasm as India took on South Africa, at what perhaps was the biggest
Group B encounter. India and South Africa had faced each other thrice in the
past in the World Cups and all the three times the Proteas emerged victorious.
India were at the MCG high on confidence, having beaten Pakistan
comprehensively last Sunday.
The captains
walked out to the middle for the toss along with Mark Nicholas. MS Dhoni called
correctly and India elected to bat first on a track tailor-made for batting
with a hint of live green grass.
The National
Anthems were sung with great emotions from both sides. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit
Sharma took guard and South African spearhead Dale Steyn was ready with the new
ball. The big screen counted down, umpire Kettlebrough said play and off they
went.
India were
off to a disastrous start. Dhawan drove one to the cover region, Duminy at
cover got a hand to the ball. The ball went to AB DeVilliers who picked it up
and threw it in a flash at the non-strikers end hitting the target. Rohit
Sharma who had set off for a single, was sent back and was short of his ground.
Rohit fell for naught. Virat Kohli joined Dhawan as they had to stitch a
partnership and lay a solid platform.
Both, Kohli
and Dhawan played cautiously. They played just like they played against
Pakistan. The South African bowling was good. Both the batsmen played risk free
cricket. They ran the twos hard and were disciplined. Kohli played second
fiddle in the partnership as Dhawan took on the bowling. Dhawan soon brought up
his half-century, his second in a row.
The pair
were going on well when India lost their second wicket. Kohli pulled a slightly
short ball from Imran Tahir and the ball flew straight to Faf DuPlessis at
mid-wicket who completed a good catch. He scored 46 of 60 balls. Ajinkya Rahane
now joined Dhawan. Both played good cricketing shots with Rahane
particularly going more than run-a-ball.
A few of Rahane's shots around the park were simply a delight to watch. One
particular favorite of mine was when he hit Dale Steyn for a six straight down
the ground. Dhawan continued is excellent stroke play and disciplined running
to bring up a well-deserved century with a boundary square of the wicket. The
MCG was up on its feet applauding a fantastic knock. He celebrated his century
in typical Shikhar Dhawan fashion.
The pair
continued. Rahane too brought up his quick-fire half century an innings that
was very crucial to the game. His stroke-play was a treat to watch as he
smashed the South African bowlers all round the park.
In the 44th
over, Shikhar Dhawan pulled a short one from Parnell. The ball did not take the
middle of the bat and Amla completed a good catch at fine leg. Dhawan walked
back to a standing ovation. He scored 137 of 146 balls and hit 16 boundaries
and 2 Sixes. India were 261-3. The platform was set for the lower order. India
were staring at something close to 320-325.
Rahane was
joined was Suresh Raina who was pumped with confidence having scored a
half-century in his previous game. However, his stay was short-lived. He fell
for 6 to Morne Morkel the very next over. Captain MS Dhoni joined Rahane in the
middle. However, in the next over Rahane was caught right in front of Steyn and
was given LBW. He walked back having scored a crucial 79 of 60 balls. Jadeja
walked in next but soon was run out by another fantastic direct throw from AB
DeVilliers. Dhoni hit a few boundaries before nicking one to De Kock. He fell
for 18. India lost wickets in a cluster in the last few overs again. Shami
pulled a short Dale Steyn delivery to the fence in the final over. India ended
up with 307-7 in the final 50 overs. A minor collapse yet it was a massive
total. Imran Tahir was the pick from South Africa having figures of 1-48 in his
10. South Africa had their task cut out. They indeed had world class players
but scoring 308 needed a strong base and a Dhawan like innings from the top
order.
Quinton De
Kock and Hashim Amla walked out to bat. Umesh Yadav had the new ball. South
Africa had a tough chase ahead of them. They needed a solid start a strong
platform to build upon. But, that was
not to be. De Kock drove Shami on the up straight to Virat Kohli at the cover
region. South Africa were 12-1 in the 4th over. Faf du Plessis walked out. He
and Amla cautiously worked to bring South Africa back on track. South Africa
were 38-1 after 10.
Mohit Sharma
banged one on the surface and Amla pulled it sending the ball flying to the
fine leg region. Shami completed a simple catch and Amla fell for 22 in the
11th over. South Africa were in deep trouble at 40-2 when AB DeVilliers walked
out to bat. AB and Faf had to bat out of their skins to chase down 307.
Ab and Faf
started rescue operations. The batted cautiously taking the South African total
past 100. However, this partnership was not fated to survive long enough. A
sharp throw by Shami and Dhoni whipping of the bails in a flash resulted in AB
DeVilliers wicket. The big fish was caught in the net. The South African
skipper fell for 30 of 38. They were now 108-3. David Miller joined Faf.
Faf
continued to play well and brought up his half-century. His innings had a
variety of shots and good disciplined batting. It was good to watch him bat.
With him and Miller at the centre, hope was still there for the Proteas. But,
he soon departed after scoring his 50. He was caught by Dhawan off Mohit Sharma
for 55. With his departure the writing on the wall was inevitable. JP Duminy
now joined David Miller. They had staged the Proteas fight back against Zimbabwe
but today it was a different opposition. Duminy handed Raina a simple catch off
Ashwin's bowling and he fell for just 6. David Miller did hit a couple to the
fence but then he to fell, for 22. He was run-out , this time by Umesh and
Dhoni. The Proteas were 153-6. They lost Philander was a duck, leg before to
Ashwin. Dale Steyn fell to Shami for 1 and Morkel was castled by Ashwin for 2.
Imran Tahir and Wayne Parnell played 3 overs, a partnership of 16 for the 10th
wicket. Tahir then fell, LBW to Jadeja in the 41st over for 8. South Africa was
bowled out for 177 in 40.2 overs. India registered a Thumping Win by 130 runs.
Ashwin and
Jadeja bowled well in the middle overs to dry the South African runs. Ashwin
picked up three wickets while Jadeja picked up one in the process. But the contribution
of Mohit Sharma and Mohammad Shami cannot be ignored. They stifled South Africa
for runs early on by bowling tight and bowling fast. All the three Indian fast
bowlers are now bowling in rhythm, bowling to their fields, bowling fast and
bowling accurate. The Indian batsmen too played their part really well. The set
it up beautifully for the bowlers. And the ground fielding was simply superb. It
was an all round effort that won India the game. India have finally broken the
South African jinx in World Cups. Shikhar Dhawan was rightfully declared as the
Player of the match for his spectacular knock of 137.
Much had
been said about the Indian team ahead of the World Cup. Perhaps we did not have
the right bowling unit or the batsmen are out of form. It was an inexperienced
side for the World Cup with the players not knowing much about the Australian
conditions. All that will be put to rest. India have won their two big games of
Pool B and look ahead to top Pool B. Also, they have laid a strong bid for the
Last-4 spot. The Defending Champs are very much in business.
