A THUMPING WIN @ MCG

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.