CWC 2019: SA vs IND Review – Chahal 4-fer, ton-up Rohit seal tricky opener
Once in every generation, there comes a player who has the eyes of the entire world set on him. As India took the field at Southampton for their opening World Cup match, Jasprit Bumrah would’ve walked in knowing that feeling. South Africa were probably not the most prepared. Scarred by their back-to-back unsuccessful chases, the Proteas opted to bat first on what looked like a good batting surface sans any grass. With Hashim Amla back at the top with Quinton de Kock back, they would’ve hoped for an inspiring batting performance. Instead, they ended up with 227/9 courtesy some late lower-order batting surge.
3, 2, 1…. BOOM
India couldn’t have asked for a better start. A team that had been labelled as a batting giant for years is now starting to get recognition for their bowling prowess. Not just that, they are also holding onto the slip catches. 3 slips in a World Cup encounter and a fast bowler steaming in – when was the last time India saw that?
It only made poetic justice that Bumrah picked India’s first wicket of the tournament in his debut World Cup game. His opening burst was terrific – making de Kock feel like a rookie batsman and Amla like he’s done with the game. In just his 2nd over, Amla edged one outside off and the ball carried straight to Rohit Sharma at 2nd slip. His next over was even fiercer, bowling consistently in the 140s and using the extra pace and bounce to his advantage. Angling one into the left-hander, Bumrah got de Kock to slash hard but the ball ended up in Virat Kohli’s hands at 3rd slip. South Africa were feeling the heat.
Chahal spins a web as Faf-Dussen rebuild
One brings two and Yuzvendra Chahal would’ve certainly liked to believe it. As soon as captain Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen notched up their 50-run stand, Chahal dismissed them both. In the same over. Then again, he caught the dangerous David Miller off his own bowling and fooled Andile Phehlukwayo into a stumping to break their partnership just before the death overs began. The flight, the loop, the drift – Chahal was weaving his magic on the platform laid so brilliantly by the world’s No.1 ODI bowler.
But it was South Africa’s tail that came to the party after a disappointing show by the openers and the middle order. Chris Morris (42 off 34) stuck like glue as Phehlukwayo and Kagiso Rabada chipped in with crucial runs. After going wicketless for the most part, Bhuvneshwar Kumar came back and bagged a couple to finish the innings.
Rohit Sharma arrives in style
India needed their openers to be careful. The ball was moving and Kagiso Rabada along with Morris were coming at them with all their might. So much so that even Shikhar Dhawan’s willow couldn’t take it. Both Rohit and Shikhar struggled in the initial passage of play with plenty of mistimes, leading edges and half-chances. Until Dhawan finally succumbed to Rabada in the 6th over, with de Kock taking a flying stunner. In his next over, Rohit went berserk, looting 15 off 6 balls. It was time to put the pedal to the metal.
Even as the Proteas bagged the prize wicket of Kohli in a rare failure for the skip, they knew Rohit was the one who had to go. But he didn’t. In one of his most sensible knocks, he led the chase with an unbeaten 23rd ODI hundred, his second in World Cups and third against South Africa. In his own words, “it wasn’t a typical Rohit Sharma innings”, but one where he needed to dig deep and play responsibly.
South Africa sink with a hat-trick of losses
The biggest difference between both teams today was the performance of their spin department. While Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav collected 5 wickets between them, South Africa’s spinners had none. Barring Rabada and Morris, no other bowler appeared to threaten. India were ahead of their opponents throughout, and the Proteas couldn’t even come close. If they are to turn things around going forward, they will need all their experienced campaigners to step up and deliver big. Players like JP Duminy and David Miller ought to bring their A-game to the table. Or else, South Africa can kiss goodbye to their elusive dream.
