Published: Feb 22, 2015, 04:43 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 22, 2015, 04:51 PM (IST)
India registered an emphatic win over South Africa in the Pool B match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday. Sudatta Mukherjee writes the five memorable from India’s World Cup victory over South Africa. REPORT: India maul South Africa by 130 runs to register first win in World Cup cricket history
India won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 match at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) against South Africa by 130 runs. Here are the top five memorable moments from the match. Scorecard: India vs South Africa ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Shikhar Dhawan’s second century against South Africa: The Indian opener followed his 73 against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 opener with a career best 137, which came at his wife’s city, Melbourne. Being inconsistent and often criticised for not performing under pressure, Shikhar Dhawan came back strong, sticking in the middle with first Virat Kohli and later Ajinkya Rahane, to help India put up a challenging total for South Africa. READ: Shikhar Dhawan scores 7th ODI century against South Africa in ICC Cricket World
Cup 2015
Dhawan’s partnership with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane: In recent times, strong partnerships have hurt India’s performances. It was a pleasant sight for the Indian fans when two major partnerships helped India’s batting. First, Shikhar Dhawan put up a 127 runs partnership for the second wicket with Virat Kohli and then 125 runs partnership with Rahane. What helped India even more is that, when Rahane and Dhawan were involved in the partnership for the third wicket, India’s run-rate for the first time crossed six.
Ajinkya Rahane’s 60-ball 79: After Indian vice-captain departed four run short of his half-century, there was little worry about who would support Dhawan from the other end. However, Ajinkya Rahane smashed a 60-ball 79, steering India’s innings towards the 300-mark at ease. Rahane had an amazing strike-rate of 131.66, the best among the batsmen who have played more 50 balls in the match.
Mohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami’s strike early: There was much worry when India could not capitalise on the batting in the death overs, following Rahane and Dhawan’s dismissal. Even a target of 308 looked small; keeping in mind South Africa’s star studded batting line-up. However, Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma struck early blows to keep South Africa on toes. First, Shami forced Quinton de Kock to play a fuller delivery which landed safely in Kohli’s hands. Later on, Mohit removed dangerous Hashim Amla and later on Faf du Plessis to turn the match in India’s favour.
AB de Villiers’ run-out and India’s fielding: Indian cricketers are already known for their world-class fielding. However, to watch AB de Villiers, who produced three crucial run outs during the Indian innings, being run out by Mohit Sharma was a sight to relish for the Indian contingency. Not only that, Umesh Yadav produced a magnificent throw to help MS Dhoni run out David Miller.
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(Sudatta Mukherjee is a reporter with CricketCountry. Other than writing on cricket, she spends penning random thoughts on her blog. When she is not writing, you will catch her at a movie theatre or watching some English television show on her laptop. Her Twitter handle is @blackrosegal)
