India vs South Africa Highlights 37th Match: On his 35th birthday, Virat Kohli celebrated with a remarkable century, his second in the World Cup, while Ravindra Jadeja showcased his brilliance with a five-wicket haul as India outclassed South Africa by a staggering 243-run margin in a high-stakes contest between the tournament’s top two teams at the Eden Gardens on a memorable Sunday.
A Clash of Titans
The stage was set at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, as Rohit Sharma-led Team India took on South Africa in a highly anticipated battle. This match was touted as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup final, featuring the top two teams in the tournament. The atmosphere was electric, and the cricketing world eagerly awaited a showdown of epic proportions.
Virat Kohli’s Milestone
India’s innings began with a noteworthy performance by Virat Kohli. Celebrating his 35th birthday, Kohli delivered an extraordinary innings that equaled the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries. Battling challenging conditions, Kohli played a pivotal role in India’s mammoth total of 326/5 in 50 overs.
Rohit and Shubman’s Explosive Start
India’s opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill got off to a blazing start. They took advantage of some wayward pace bowling and scored briskly, reaching 91-1 in the powerplay. However, Rohit Sharma’s aggressive knock of 40 came to an end when he fell victim to Kagiso Rabada.
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Kohli and Iyer’s Solid Partnership
The run rate slowed down as Keshav Maharaj applied the brakes in the middle overs, but Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer persevered. Kohli played with exceptional composure and went on to achieve his century. The partnership between Kohli and Iyer reached 134 runs off 158 balls before Iyer’s departure for a well-played 77 off 87 deliveries.
Ravindra Jadeja’s All-Round Brilliance
The latter part of India’s innings saw explosive contributions from Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja remained unbeaten on 29 off 15 balls, playing a crucial role in pushing India’s total beyond 300. His performance with both bat and ball would be pivotal in the match.
South Africa’s Struggle
The South African chase of 327 runs got off to a shaky start as they lost half their side for just 40 runs within 14 overs. Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami wreaked havoc, with Jadeja claiming five wickets for just 33 runs. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav also played their part in South Africa’s demise, with the Proteas eventually being dismissed for 83 in 27.1 overs.
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The Bowling Dominance
The Indian bowling unit, led by Jasprit Bumrah, proved to be relentless. The Proteas struggled to handle the metronomic accuracy of the Indian bowlers, and their chase never looked threatening. South Africa’s approach to run-chases came under scrutiny as they appeared timid and unable to adapt to the challenging conditions.
Records Broken and India vs South Africa Highlights
This match witnessed several records and highlights:
Best figures for an Indian spinner in World Cups: Ravindra Jadeja’s 5-33 against South Africa in Kolkata 2023.
Opposition batter outscoring SA in an ODI: Virat Kohli’s 101 runs compared to South Africa’s 83 in Kolkata 2023.
Biggest defeats for SA in ODIs (by runs): A comprehensive 243-run loss to India in Kolkata 2023.
India’s Unbeaten Streak
With this victory, India maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament, securing their position at the top of the points table. Their clinical performances and adaptability make them a formidable force in the World Cup(India vs South Africa Highlights).
Scorecard
India Innings: 326/5 (50 overs)
- Virat Kohli: 101 not out
- Shreyas Iyer: 77
- Rohit Sharma: 40
- Suryakumar Yadav: 22 not out
- Ravindra Jadeja: 29 not out
South Africa Innings: 83 all out (27.1 overs)
- Leading Wicket-Takers: Ravindra Jadeja (5 wickets), Mohammed Shami (2 wickets), Kuldeep Yadav (2 wickets)
Conclusion
In this thrilling encounter between India and South Africa, cricket fans were treated to a spectacle of extraordinary performances, records, and intense competition. As the World Cup 2023 unfolds, the dominance of the Indian cricket team remains unquestionable, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the knockout stages(India vs South Africa Highlights).
FAQs
Q: What was Virat Kohli’s record in the match against South Africa?
A: Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten century, equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries.
Q: Who were the standout performers for India with the ball?
A: Ravindra Jadeja was the star with the ball, claiming five wickets, while Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav also made significant contributions.
Q: How did South Africa struggle during their chase?
A: South Africa lost half their side for just 40 runs and were eventually dismissed for 83, unable to adapt to the challenging conditions.
Q: What records were broken in this match?
A: Records broken included Ravindra Jadeja’s best figures for an Indian spinner in World Cups, Virat Kohli outscoring the entire South African team, and the biggest defeat for South Africa in ODIs.
Q: What is India’s position in the World Cup 2023 after this match?
A: India remains at the top of the points table with an unbeaten streak, setting the stage for the knockout stages of the tournament(India vs South Africa Highlights).
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