CWC2023: Indian bowlers blow up South Africa after birthday boy Kohli's 49th ODI hundred

 

It was a thoroughly  unexpected  big win for India in Eden Gardens .  The day belonged to Virat Kohli who scored his 49th ODI ton on his 35th birthday and equalled Sachin Tendulkar . The India vs South Africa match had huge expectations and was billed as the final before the final . South Africa were notching up huge victories by batting first and they raised a lots of expectations but on this day India batting first scored a mammoth 326 and then the lethal Indian bowling attack completely dominated South Africa batters and skittled them out for a meagre 83 runs to turn this mega contest into a hopelessly one sided one  

 Rohit won the toss and batted first . The Indian openers started in blistering fashion with Rohit scoring a whirlwind 40 off just 24 balls with his customary drives and pulls for 6 before he hit a catch to Temba Bavuma at midoff off Rabada . Gill too played a breezy knock of 23 as India very quickly reached 93/2  in the 11th over but both openers were dismissed .

This prompted Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer to bat with minimum risk as the pitch started to grip once the spinners started bowling . Maharaj bowled a very tight spell getting Gill bowled as South Africa appled the brakes . Kohli & Iyer rotated strike and batted with minimum risk trying to set a firm base . They added 134 for the 3rd wicket and later Shreyas started to attack the bowling with some exciting shots before he was caught off Jansen for 77 off 87 balls . 

Rahul (8) went cheaply but Surya played a quick cameo of 22 runs.  Kohli after his long vigil could not explode in the last ten overs as his runs mostly came from singles & twos . Finally Jadeja hit an explosive 29 off 15 balls and Kohli completed his 49th ODI ton equalling Sachin Tendulkar . Kohli remained not out on 101 off 121 balls as India reached 326 

For    South Africa  , Keshav Maharaj bowled the best taking 1/30 in 10 overs and Rabada also did well getting 1/48 but Jansen and others were too expensive on this day 

Chasing a formidable 327 to win , South Africa were totally taken aback by the lethal and accurate Indian bowling attack and just could not get any momentum in their chase .

The prolific DeKock (5) played on to Siraj and Jadeja came in castled Temba Bavuma (11)  with a great delivery as South Africa slumped to 22/2 .

Things didnt improve  as Van Dussen was lbw to Shami for 13 ,   Markram (9) was caught behind off Shami  and the big hitting Klaasen (1) was lbw to Jadeja . 

Miller (14) after trying for a while was bowled by Jadeja trying a lap shot  as the horror show continued . Jansen (14) only delayed the inevitable as South Africa were 83 allout and crushed by 243 runs . 

Jadeja took 5 wickets while Shami and Kuldeep took 2 wickets each to once again underline the the dominance of Indian bowlers . Kohli for his 100 was the player of the match .

This win takes India to the top of the league table while it dents South Africa 's confidence just before the knockouts as it is a severe blow to their momentum . It remains to be seen how South Africa recovers from this setback.