Resounding victories in both the matches is a dream start for India in its World Cup campaign. Coming against one of the pre-tournament favourites is a warning to the rest. It is a superb turnaround for a team which has had a tough time. Not once am I alluding to the results thus far in Australia but just the sheer amount of cricket that was tightly packed for them. Come the World Cup and the team has responded wonderfully well.
Electing to bat was the perfect recipe as batting has been India’s strength. When India posts a good total, its bowling gets teeth and helps beat the opponents convincingly. India did not get off to an ideal start as Rohit Sharma was run out but what followed was welcome dominance. For the second time in succession, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan stitched a 100-plus partnership.
If Shikhar was unlucky to miss out on his hundred against Pakistan he made up for it today. His cover drives and free-flowing approach were back and so was the penchant for the uppercut and pull.
If Suresh Raina’s was the clinching innings in spite of Virat’s hundred against Pakistan, it was Ajinkya Rahane’s effort on Sunday which shaped the way the scorecard progressed. He was dominant from the start and came up with a solid performance.
His partnership with Shikhar of 125 runs in 16.3 overs pushed South Africa out.
The bowlers lost no time in putting the South African batsmen under pressure. They bowled the right length and line and had specific plans for each batsman.
A highlight was the fielding and throwing of Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav, both off-balance, from the deep. All in all a clinical performance from India!
