India vs South Africa Highlights, World Cup 2015: India Crush South Africa by 130 Runs for Historic Win
Team India shattered their World Cup jinx vs South Africa in style with a massive 130-run win on Monday. Catch all the highlights from the Pool B match here.
Shikhar Dhawan (137), Rahane (79), Kohli (46) laid the platform and Ravichandran Ashwin (3/41), Mohit Sharma (2/31) did the job with the ball to help India record a comprehensive win. Get all highlights from the Melbourne Cricket Ground here (Scorecard | Fixtures | Points Table):
© Getty Images
ÂÂ
16.25 (IST): After Shikhar Dhawan's phenomenal century (137) and Ajinkya Rahane (79) and Virat Kohli's (46) contributions, it was Ravichandran Ashwin's 3/41 and Mohit Sharma's 2/31 completed India's all-round thrashing of South Africa.
16.23 (IST): It's all over! Jadeja traps Imran Tahir leg before and South Africa are bowled out for 177, giving India a 130-run win! This is their first-ever win vs South Africa in World Cups.
16.10 (IST): OUT! Ashwin cleans up Morne Morkel for 2. South Africa 161/9 in 37.2 overs. India now 1 wicket away.
16.07 (IST): OUT! Dale Steyn is out for 1. He hits a Shami delivery to Dhawan! South Africa 158/8 in 36.2 overs.
15.58 (IST): South Africa in all sorts of bother. Ashwin's over produces two wickets - first Miller is run out and then Philander is LBW. South Africa 153/7 in 34 overs
15.41 (IST): Ashwin strikes! JP Duminy is gone for 6. He attempted a reverse sweep and the leading edge goes straight to Raina at slip. South Africa 147/5 in 31.3 overs.
15.25 (IST): JP Duminy is the new man in. He joins David Miller. South Africa need 175 more off 131 balls. India six wickets away.
15.24 (IST): Mohit Sharma strikes! Faf du Plessis is gone, trying to play uppishly. He came down the track to hoick the ball straight but failed to clear Dhawan at mid-off. He falls for 55. South Africa 133/4 in 28.1 overs
15.16 (IST): FOUR! Miller plays a devastating sweep off Jadeja to the square leg fence. South Africa 128/3 in 26.3 overs
15.13 (IST): AB de Villiers was a big wicket and the Indian fans knew it.
The @BCCI fans are just a bit happy about de Villiers' run out! #cwc15 #INDvSA https://t.co/3uXDP1mVc6
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 22, 2015
15.06 (IST): OUT! Another massive wicket for India! AB de Villiers is run out for 30. Excellent throw from Mohit Sharma and Dhoni is quick to knock off the bails, catch De Villiers short of his crease. South Africa 108/3 (22.5 overs) vs India (307/7)
15.03 (IST): 10 runs off Ashwin's first over. South Africa 107/2, need 201 more off 168 balls.
14.58 (IST): After 21 overs, Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack. Will be interesting to see if these two batsmen go after straight away.
14.52 (IST): The runs are slowly starting to come for South Africa. They've moved on to 85/2 in 19 overs. The partnership between De Villiers and Du Plessis is in the 40s. India need to break this stand.
14.43 (IST): Du Plessis sees the need to ease some pressure, comes down the track and hits Umesh for a four straight down the ground. Crucial phase of the game coming up. Can India keep the pressure going?
© Getty Images
ÂÂ
14.41 (IST): South Africa have reached 63/2 in 16 overs with AB de Villiers (14) and Faf du Plessis (15) in the middle. Need 245 more off 196 balls. India eight wickets away.
14.25 (IST): Tendulkar also posted his MCG selfie on twitter.
Always special to be back at cricket stadiums. Atmosphere at the MCG is fantastic! #CWC15 #IndvsSA pic.twitter.com/DLK49FG1Sm
- sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 22, 2015
14.22 (IST): Sachin Tendulkar has wished the Indian team good luck. They are eight wickets away from their second win of the tournament.
Brilliant to have #cwc15 Ambassador, the legendary @sachin_rt here at the MCG for #INDvSA today pic.twitter.com/GqqA3AcnT6
- ICC (@ICC) February 22, 2015
14.16 (IST): OUT! Hashim Amla is gone! Massive, massive wicket for Mohit Sharma! Amla pulls a short ball but can't beat Shami at deep fine leg. He goes for 22. South Africa 40/2 in 10.2 overs vs India (307/7)
14.12 (IST): South Africa reach 38/1 after 10 overs with Amla (22) and Du Plessis (5) in the middle. At this stage, India were 36/1
14.08 (IST): Rahane is throwing himself around! He saves a certain boundary at covers but India miss a run out opportunity. South Africa 31/1 in 9 overs
13.58 (IST): What a ball! Mohit is unlucky there! He bowls an excellent delivery that almost fully squares up Amla. However, the outside edge flies past Dhoni behind the stumps to the third man fence. No first slip and Mohit can only offer a wry smile. South Africa 26/1 in 7 overs
13.58 (IST): Shami is not on the field at the moment. Ambati Rayudu is on for him.
13.54 (IST): Yadav and Shami have opened the attack very well. Mohit Sharma introduced now. The onus of keeping the foot on the peddle will be on him.
13.53 (IST): Good, tidy start from the Indian bowlers. Early wicket of De Kock straightaway puts the pressure on South Africa who are 19/1 in 6 overs
13.44 (IST): OUT! No century for Quinton de Kock today! He hits a Shami delivery to Virat Kohli, who takes a good, low catch at mid-off. South Africa 12/1 in 3.3 overs
13.36 (IST): FACTOID: De Kock has 342 runs in 3 ODIs vs India, scoring a century in each of the innings. Will he get his fourth today?
13.25 (IST): The South African run-chase begins! Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock will lead the Proteas' charge. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami open the bowling for India. Fascinating chase on the cards.
© Getty Images
ÂÂ
13.12 (IST): This game is nicely setup for an exciting chase. Can India defend this total? Or will South Africa record their highest chase in World Cups.
I can't wait for this run chase! India to win but in a very close one. It all depends on how South Africa play the spin of ashwin + jadeja.
- David Hussey (@DavidHussey29) February 22, 2015
12.58 (IST): India finish on 307/7 in 50 overs vs South Africa. Excellent knock from Shikhar Dhawan (137) was supported well by Ajinkya Rahane (79 off 60 balls) and Virat Kohli (46).
12.52 (IST): OUT! Morkel gets rid of Dhoni for 18. He tries to pull a short ball and ends up feathering it to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps. India 302/7 in 48.5 overs
12.45 (IST): Dhoni on fire! He hits Parnell for two fours - first straight down the ground and then pulled behind square. India 296/6 in 47.5 overs
12.40 (IST): OUT! Ravindra Jadeja took on against the arm of AB de Villiers and has paid for it. He is run out for 2 thanks to a direct hit from the South African skipper. India 284/6 in 47.2 overs
12.38 (IST): OUT! Steyn responds brilliantly after being hit for a six! He bowls cross seam and traps Rahane in front of the stumps. Rahane walks back for a splendid knock of 79 off 60 balls. India 278/5 in 46 overs
12.35 (IST): SIX! Steyn pitches and Rahane plonks it over long off fence! Brutal hit that. India 278/4 in 45.5 overs
12.31 (IST): OUT! Rossouw gets a second chance from Raina who plays a similar shot and this time the South African holds onto his catch. India 269/4 in 44.5 overs
12.28 (IST): DROPPED! Rilee Rossouw covers good ground but fails to latch on to a pull shot from Suresh Raina at deep square leg. India 269/3 in 44.4 overs
12.24 (IST): OUT! Shikhar Dhawan's exceptional knock comes to an end. He looks to hook a short ball from Parnell but can't beat Amla at deep fine leg. He falls for 137. India 261/3 in 43.4 overs
12.16 (IST): SIX! Rahane is the man again! Tahir tosses it up a bit and Rahane dances down the track to hit one over the long on fielder who can only watch it sail over to the stands. India 252/2 in 42.3 overs
12.12 (IST): Another six for Rahane! It's Parnell's turn to bowl short and Rahane pulls over square leg. The ball lands right on the ropes. India 243/2 in 41.3 overs
12.10 (IST): FIFTY for Rahane! What a timely performance from the Mumbai batsman! He gets his fifty off 40 balls. India 237/2 in 41 overs
12.08 (IST): MCG at the moment.
I can confirm that 85 thousand Indians make a LOT more noise than the same number of Aussies. The MCG is bouncing right now
- Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) February 22, 2015
12.06 (IST): SIX! Dhawan shuffles across and flicks Morkel for a six over fine leg. India 235/2 in 40.2 overs
12.04 (IST): India reach 227/2 in 40 overs with Dhawan (126) and Rahane (49) in the middle. How much can they score in the last 10?
12.01 (IST): SIX! Dhawan thwacks Dale Steyn for a maximum over long on! Steyn didn't like it one bit! Dhawan on the other hand, will cherish that for a long time to come. This is also Dhawan's highest ODI score now (120). India 220/2 in 39.2 overs
11.57 (IST): FOUR! Morkel runs in a bowls full and Rahane stands and delivers, straight over the bowler's head for four. He is now on 44 off 35 balls. India 210/2 in 38.3 overs
11.55 (IST): Former batting legend Sachin Tendulkar was spotted at the MCG earlier today.
© Getty Images
11.49 (IST): 200 up for India! It has come in 36.3 overs. Can India shift gears and get close to the 300-run mark?
11.45 (IST): Rahane is playing a little gem here. He walked in at the fall of Kohli's wicket and hasn't let the pressure fall completely on Dhawan. He has five fours in his knock of 37 (27) so far.
11.44 (IST): A majority of the crowd at the MCG is Indian and they loved Dhawan's century.
WATCH how the crowd reaction to Shikhar Dhawan's HUNDRED! #cwc15 #INDvSA https://t.co/DlTGBEtXSz
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 22, 2015
11.42 (IST): Here's how Dhawan has got his runs today.
11.41 (IST): Hundred for Shikhar Dhawan! He gets there off 122 balls. India 183/2 in 35 overs
11.37 (IST): FOUR! Parnell bowls wide and Rahane cuts one behind point for a boundary. India 176/2 in 34.2 overs
11.36 (IST): Dhawan stuck in nervous 99! He looks to pinch an easy single on two occasions and is rightfully sent back by Rahane. That was a nervy over for Dhawan. He survives. India 172/2 in 34 overs
11.31 (IST): FOUR! Parnell digs it in short and Rahane pulls with great authority. India 166/2 in 32.5 overs
11.25 (IST): Dhawan and Rahane are dealing in singles at the moment. India 156/2 in 32 overs
11.08 (IST): India reach 146/2 in 30 overs. Dhawan is batting on 92 and will be key for India to put on a big total here.
11.07 (IST): After a 129-run stand vs Pakistan, Dhawan and Kohli have added 127 at the MCG vs South Africa. Can India consolidate and make a big total? Or will it be South Africa's chance to pick up a flurry of wickets?
© Getty Images
ÂÂ
11.05 (IST): OUT! Virat Kohli is gone for 46! Imran Tahir gets a wicket! He bowls a bit short and Kohli goes for a pull but hits it straight to Faf du Plessis at mid-wicket. India 136/2 in 27.1 overs
10.59 (IST): Steyn to Kohli and FOUR! Steyn steams in and bowls full, Kohli pushes it straight back for a four to move into the 40s. India 131/1 in 26.1 overs
10.55 (IST): Edged and Four! Dhawan is very lucky here! He fails to read the wrong 'un from Imran Tahir and goes for a drive. There is no slip and the outside edge runs away to the third man fence. India 127/1 in 25.3 overs
10.54 (IST): 25 overs are up! At the halfway stage, India 123/1 with Dhawan (82 not out) and Kohli (37 not out) in the middle.
© AFP
10.44 (IST): Back-to-back fours for Dhawan! First he plays a cheeky upper cut off a short ball from Parnell and then clobbers a full ball to the straight boundary. The 100-run stand between Dhawan and Kohli comes up. India 111/1 in 23.2 overs.
10.42 (IST): 100 comes up for India! It has come in 22.4 overs with Kohli and Dhawan in the middle.
10.41 (IST): FOUR! Poor short ball from Duminy and Dhawan made room to pull it behind square for a four. He moves into the 60s. India 99/1 in 22.3 overs
10.36 (IST): India are starting to establish a solid stronghold on the game here. Dhawan and Kohli added 129-run stand vs Pakistan last Sunday. Today they've already put on over 80. South Africa in desperate need of a breakthrough. India 89/1 in 21.1 overs
10.27 (IST): DROPPED! Dhawan attempts another cut behind point and Hashim Amla makes a diving effort to his right but spills it at the last moment. Dhawan gets a reprieve on 54. India 80/1 in 19.1 overs
10.21 (IST): FIFTY for Shikhar Dhawan! It has come in 70 deliveries. He gets there with a glorious square cut behind point. India 77/1 in 18 overs
10.10 (IST): Over the top and four! Morkel bowls slightly short of length and Dhawan pulls it over the in-field to the square leg fence. India 66/1 in 15.3 overs
10.04 (IST): FOUR! Morkel bowls full on the leg stump and Dhawan controls it immaculately to punch it past the diving mid-on fielder. India 56/1 in 14 overs
© Getty Images
10.00 (IST): Fifty up for India! It has come in 13.1 overs with Dhawan and Kohli in the middle.
09.55 (IST): FOUR! Morkel strays down Kohli's pads and the Indian batsman flicks it the mid-wicket fence. India 45/1 (12 overs)
09.52 (IST): More spin as Imran Tahir into the attack. He concedes just one run off the over. India 37/1 (11 overs)
09.47 (IST): India reach 36/1 in 10 overs. Dhawan 28*, Kohli 8*
09.46 (IST): Uppish! But Dhawan gets another four! Morkel bowls short and wide and Dhawan thwacks it over point. India 36/1 (9.4 overs)
09.43 (IST): Tricky phase of play coming up! India need this partnership going as well as a move on as far the scoring rate is concerned. South Africa need a wicket in order to not let the early grip slip away. Morne Morkel comes into the attack. India 32/1 in 9 overs.
09.41 (IST): Spin for the first time in the match as JP Duminy comes on. Good move this, given that Dhawan struggles against off-spinners (8 dismissals in 23 innings since 2011).
09.38 (IST): Second boundary off Philander's over! This time it's Dhawan who hits an over-pitched delivery through covers. India 28/1 (7.5 overs)
09.35 (IST): First Four for Kohli! Philander offers a full delivery and Kohli helps it through covers for a four.
09.33 (IST): Sachin Tendulkar is at the MCG! The big screen shows the Indian batting legend and the fans cheer wildly.
09.32 (IST): FOUR! Steyn pitches it up and Dhawan drives it handsomely through covers. India 19/1 (6.3 overs)
09.28 (IST): Dhawan goes for a hook shot and gets away. The fine leg fielder was up inside the circle and Dhawan seems to have seen that. He mistimes his shot off Philander but does enough for it to go over the fielder. He collects a couple of runs for it.
09.25 (IST): India limp to 10/1 in 5 overs with Dhawan (10) and Kohli (0) in the middle. Accurate start from the South African pacers.
09.19 (IST): Kohli walks out early! Can he follow up a century vs Pakistan with one against the formidable bowling attack of South Africa?
© Getty Images
09.15 (IST): OUT! Rohit Sharma is gone for a duck! Excellent effort in the field and a direct hit has sent Rohit packing. A lot of yes-no calling from Dhawan and Rohit. Rohit put in a desperate dive but couldn't make it. South Africa are pumped up. India 9/1 (2.5 overs)
09.12 (IST): FOUR! Steyn provides a litte width outside the off stump and Dhawan drives it behind point. That should do a world of good to his confidence. India 9/0 (2.3 overs)
09.11 (IST): Steyn is steaming in for his second over and Dhawan is at the receiving end. This will be a good test for the left-handed opener who has been in scratchy form (until his knock vs Pakistan last Sunday).ÂÂ
09.09 (IST): India collect five runs off Philander's first over. India 5/0 (2 overs)
09.08 (IST): FOUR! First runs for India come off Shikhar Dhawan's willow. Vernon Philander strays on the pads and the left-handed opener flicks it behind square for a four. India 4/0 (1.4 overs)
09.05 (IST): Dale Steyn starts with a maiden over! Rohit is happy to see off six deliveries from him. India 0/0 (1 over)
09.04 (IST): Indian fans have flocked the MCG. Dhoni's men will have massive support today.
© Getty Images
09.02 (IST): Dale Steyn kick-starts the proceedings with the ball. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan begin India's innings.
08.44 (IST): South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton De Kock, Faf Du Plessis, AB De Villiers*, David Miller, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel
08.43 (IST): India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma
08.39 (IST): Team India field the same side that beat Pakistan. South Africa make one change, bring in Wayne Parnell for Farhaan Beherdien.
08.35 (IST): Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss, opted to bat first amidst a massive cheer at the MCG.
08.25 (IST): Pitch report: Sourav Ganguly says the wicket is hard and the pacers will get some assistance here. Expect pace and bounce, he says. Dale Steyn must be delighted!
08.23 (IST): Ravindra Jadeja seen in conversation with bowling coach Bharat Arun. With four left-handed batsmen in the SA line-up - Quinton de Kock, David Miller, JP Duminy and Rilee Rossouw - Jadeja's role will be key.
08.08 (IST): Meanwhile in Dunedin, Sri Lanka are struggling in their chase of 233 vs Afghanistan. They lost both openers - Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan - for first-ball ducks and are stuttering at 14/2 in the 5th over. (Follow live updates here | Blog)
08.06 (IST): Team India must be highly motivated. South Africa are the only Test playing nation they haven't beaten in World Cups.
.@BCCI is warming up on the @MCG #cwc15 #INDvSA https://t.co/KDMvdLQyqT
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 22, 2015
08.05 (IST): Both teams are out training at the moment. We're only 25 minutes away from the toss.
© Getty Images
ÂÂ
Meanwhile at the MCG, final preparations take place where they are expecting a crowd possibly over 90,000! #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Nr5CKD108Y
- ICC (@ICC) February 22, 2015
India's Batting vs South Africa's Bowling
There is no doubt that both India and South Africa would be backing their strengths at the MCG. While the Men in Blue can bat up a storm with effortless ease, the Proteas swear by the prowess of their pacers.
Little doubt then that when India's batsmen face off against South Africa's fast bowlers, sparks will fly. India's top-order wasn't very impressive in the recent tri-nation ODI series Down Under which also featured Australia and England. All of that though vanished from memory when the team smacked 300/7 against Pakistan at Adelaide. The top-order - Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli in particular - looked ominous and brushed the pressure aside with casual ease. A match which is comparatively less stressful, expect the batsmen to play on the front-foot for further glory. (Virat Kohli Says It's India's Batting vs South Africa's Bowling)
There's just one hitch and he's called Dale Steyn. Widely regarded as the world's deadliest pacer, Steyn fought off flu to get ready for the match against the Indians. He's hale, hearty, healthy and hungry - hungry for wickets. Backing him would be the likes of Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel who have the experience to topple any batting line-up on their day.
South Africa Have Kirsten, Donald, Hussey; India Have God!
Much has been said about Gary Kirsten being with the South Africans. True, he can be the trump card as he was India's coach when the team won the World Cup in 2011. He knows the Indian dressing room well and can devise counter strategies to aid AB de Villiers and his men. Add the expertise of Allan Donald and Aussie Mike Hussey and this is one support staff that has more star power than the actual South Africa team!
Speaking of star power, Sachin Tendulkar would be cheering for Team India from the MCG stands. End of that debate! (Thunder Down Under as Sachin Tendulkar Comes Calling)
India vs South Africa Duels in ODIs
There is no doubt that the Proteas have the edge against India in head-to-head records. In 70 ODIs between the two, South Africans have won 42 as against 25 claimed by the Indians.
In World Cups, the Proteas have a 3-0 edge. In last five ODIs played by each of the two teams, the South Africans once again edge ahead with four triumphs as against one for India (including the washed out Sydney ODI on January 26 against Australia).
Records and numbers don't stand for too long, or at least that's what die-hard Indian fans would be hoping.