BackICC World Cup: India make a perfect start to sink South Africa
The world’s top ODI bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, exploited it perfectly to get Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock in the powerplayShikhar Dhawan fell early, but Rohit Sharma survived to make a magnificent century, carrying his bat to take India home
PremiumIt was a good toss to lose for India. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, having lost the previous two games chasing, decided to bat first. The wicket was fresh for the first World Cup game in Southampton, with seam movement off the grass and uneven bounce.
The world’s top ODI bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, exploited it perfectly to get Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock in the powerplay. Virat Kohli was spot on in his captaincy, coming into third slip for De Kock and taking a sharp catch.
The Indian leg-spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav then got into the act to prey again on South Africa’s vulnerability. Chahal was mesmerising with his drift and variations to take four wickets. Yadav had a good outing too after his confidence had been dented by Kolkata Knight Riders dropping him in the IPL. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a surprising selection ahead of Mohammed Shami, was economical and picked up two wickets in the last over. The Indian bowling unit is humming.
It’s just as well that the batsmen had a target of just 228, because Kagiso Rabada’s opening spell was almost unplayable on that wicket. Shikhar Dhawan fell early, but Rohit Sharma survived to make a magnificent century, carrying his bat to take India home. Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and MS Dhoni made small but important contributions, while Hardik Pandya came out at the end and finished it off, as if to ask, what was all the fuss about?
It was the perfect start for India in the World Cup. A challenging wicket, a tense chase despite the modest target, and opener Rohit Sharma coming good. Most of all, the leg-spinners’ wicket-taking in the middle overs will be a vital factor through the tournament as the wickets get drier.
Sumit Chakraberty is the author of 2019 Cricket World Cup Thinking Cap.
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