World Cup 2015: Underestimate India at Your Own Peril, Ravi Shastri Issues Warning After Proteas Win
Shikhar Dhawan smashed 137 off 146 balls as defending champions India whipped mighty South Africa by 130 runs to step closer to a quarter-final berth in the World Cup.
In front of more than 85 thousand fans, India broke their "Proteas jinx" with an sensational win against South Africa at the MCG on Sunday. Batting first, India posted a solid 307/7, thanks to the exploits of Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane. Dhawan slammed his seventh ODI tin while Rahane tore the South African bowling apart with a belligerent 79. South Africa faltered in chase and India - riding on a fine display from their bowlers and fielders - handed South Africa a 130-run crushing defeat. (Shikhar Dhawan, Bowlers Guide India to Historic Win vs South Africa)
Ravi Shastri, the team director, was elated at the performance and was "proud" of MS Dhoni and his boys. He described the win over the Proteas as a "clinical and professional performance".
Talking to Mark Nicholas after the game, Shastri sounded warning to the other teams, "Underestimate this Indian team at your own peril. We have the batting and with this bowling attack, we are ready to test any team."
When reminded of India's terrible form in the Test series, Shastri, in his own nonchalant style, rubbished the doubts over this Indian unit.
"I never thought India were ordinary in the Test series", said the 52-year-old. The former India international blamed India's lackluster show in the Tests on excessive cricket, "There was too much cricket played. Four Test matches were too much. They were mentally tired and needed a break." (President Pranab Mukherjee Congratulates Team India on Win)
The ex-India all-rounder stressed on the fact that India's bad form in the tri-series also didn't bother him. "If we would have won that tri-series and lost these two games, it wouldn't have mattered. What matters is these games."
When asked about Shikhar Dhawan, the team director heaped praised on the left-hander and said, "Lot of people questioned his (Shikhar Dhawan)selection. (Shikhar)Dhawan had no luck in Tests. He's got his act together and is dominating now."
Shastri also spoke about India's approach to this World Cup and said that this team believes in being consistent and takes every game as it comes.
India play UAE next on the February 28, Friday.