India beats South Africa, extends World Cup winning streak to eight matches

In a thrilling match between the top two teams in the Cricket World Cup 2023, India emerged victorious, defeating South Africa by a commanding margin of 243 runs at Eden Gardens.

Both India and South Africa had already secured their spots in the semi-finals, making this match a potential dress rehearsal for the championship clash later in the month.

The highlight of the game was Virat Kohli's exceptional performance on his 35th birthday, where he notched his second century of the tournament. Ravindra Jadeja played a pivotal role by claiming five wickets, ensuring South Africa's batting lineup crumbled.

South Africa's pursuit of India's total of 327 runs got off to a shaky start as they lost half of their team for a mere 40 runs in just 14 overs. Jadeja, with figures of 5-33, and Mohammed Shami, contributing with 2-18, wreaked havoc on the South African side. Eventually, South Africa was dismissed for a mere 83 runs in 27.1 overs, marking their second defeat in the tournament, reported NDTV.

Jadeja showcased his bowling prowess by dismissing the stumps of three batsmen, while Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav also played their part in India's resounding victory.

Kohli's unbeaten century, with 101 runs containing 10 fours, equaled the record of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, both boasting 49 one-day international hundreds. Kohli's spectacular form extended his tournament tally to over 500 runs.

In partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 77 runs with seven fours and two sixes, Kohli anchored a solid third-wicket stand of 134. India concluded their innings at 326-5, aided by late hitting from Jadeja, who scored an unbeaten 29 runs.

India seized control early by choosing to bat first, capitalising on some erratic pace bowling from Marco Jansen.

Although Indian skipper Rohit Sharma fell for 40 runs, the team reached 91-1 in the powerplay. Subsequently, Shubman Gill departed for 23 runs due to an unplayable delivery from Keshav Maharaj, bringing South Africa back into the game with their spin bowling.

Virat Kohli, reflecting on equaling Sachin Tendulkar's record, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to achieve this milestone on his birthday, in front of a massive crowd at the iconic Eden Gardens.

In the post-match analysis, Rohit Sharma highlighted the adaptability shown by the Indian team in their recent games and the importance of trust among the players. He praised Kohli's performance and the excellent contribution of players like Shami and Jadeja. Sharma emphasised the need to maintain trust and not change their approach, with a few crucial games ahead.