ICC World Cup, IND vs SA: India Beat South Africa by 6 Wickets
Live score updates from India’s campaign opener of the ICC World Cup against South Africa.
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India Start Their WC Campaign With a Win
An opening victory for India has South Africa's Cricket World Cup campaign teetering on the edge.
Rohit Sharma made the most of an early reprieve to post an unbeaten 122 and guide India to a six-wicket win over an injury-depleted South Africa.
Sharma's let off came in the second over — Kagiso Rabada's first — when he fended at a short ball which brushed his glove and carried to second slip, but South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis wasn't able to grab it.
He was also dropped on 107 before India surpassed the victory target of 228 with 15 balls to spare, consigning South Africa to a third straight defeat.
After waiting until day seven to get its campaign started, India will have to turn around quickly to play defending champion Australia at the Oval on Sunday. South Africa remains in Southampton to face West Indies, needing a convincing win to maintain any hope of advancing to the playoffs.
India & South Africa's Post Match Press Conference
Rohit Sharma Named Player of the Match
Rohit was adjudged the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 122, which included 13 fours and 2 sixes.
"Couldn't play my natural game today, ball was doing a lot. Needed time to play my shots," said Rohit Sharma after the match.
India Reach Home With 6 Wickets in Hand
Rohit Sharma scores an unbeaten 122 to steer India home against South Africa in their opening match of ICC World Cup 2019 in Southampton. Hardik Pandya hit the winning runs as he scored 15 runs of 7 balls.
With this win, India open their account on the points table and are placed sixth on the table due to an inferior run rate of +0.302.
India next play Australia on Sunday, 9 June at The Oval in London.
IND v SA LIVE SCORE: Morris Sends Dhoni Back
MSD wanted to wrap up things quickly but ended up giving his wicket. Dhoni hit a skier that really went up high in the air. Morris falls over the stumps but takes the catch off hos won ball to complete a stunner.
Dhoni dismissed for 34.
After 47 overs, India need 6 runs from 18 balls.
IND v SA LIVE SCORE: Rohit, Dhoni Switch Gears
Rohit Sharma has been dropped on 107 and they don’t come easier than the one dropped by David Miller. Things just aren't going South Africa’s way.
After 45 overs, India need 20 runs from 30 balls.
IND v SA LIVE SCORE: Century For Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma brings up his 23rd ODI century. The century comes in 128 balls and include 10 fours and 2 sixes. This is Rohit’s slowest century.
A responsible innings from Rohit Sharma. With this century, Rohit surpasses Sourav Ganguly’s tally of 22 ODI tons.
Barring the early phase of batting, Rohit has looked in complete control. With this century, Rohit is off to a great start in the competition.
India: 178/3 in 41 overs
Former Cricketer Chetan Chauhan on India vs SA tie
IND v SA LIVE SCORE: Rahul Dismissed For 26
Not a slower one but the ball stops as Rahul hits it through the line and only manages give an easy catch to mid-off. Faf takes a catch as Rabada picks his second wicket.
India: 139/3 in 32 overs
IND v SA LIVE SCORE: Rohit Shifting Gears
Rohit Sharma hits four boundaries in last four overs. He is comfortably placed at 83 off 101 balls and will most likely see India home.
IND v SA LIVE SCORE: Quinton De Kock's Stunner
IND v SA LIVE SCORE: India Go Past 100
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul put up a 50+ stand for the third wicket as India bring up 100 in the 26th over.
India: 102/2 in 26 overs
IND v SA LIVE SCORE: Fifty For Rohit Sharma
It has been a slow fifty from his standard but Rohit Sharma has held the fort from his end. With this, he reaches 42 fifties in ODIs.
The fifty comes off in 70 balls and included 2 sixes and 4 fours at a strike rate of 71.43.
Rohit now needs to bat till the end for India to win this match.
IND v SA LIVE SCORE: Virat Kohli Goes For 18
De Kock grabs a stunner to send Kohli back. Kohli outside edge a back of a length delivery with extra bounce and De Kock does the rest.
Big wicket for South Africa! Will this bring them back in the game?
India: 54/2 in 16 overs.
Rohit Survives LBW Call
Kagiso Rabada things he has his second wicket but the umpire nods no. The Proteas go for a review and it shows the ball just about nicking the top of the leg stump.
Umpires call this one and so the on-field umpire’s call stays.
No wicket for South Africa.
Rohit Getting in the Groove
After few quiet overs, Rohit Sharma finally taking the fight to Rabada.
First he hits him for a six at the long leg boundary. He edges the next ball for a boundary wide of third slip. Finally, he dispatches the last ball of the over for a four. He slaps the ball for a four through the big gap at point.
15 runs scored in the over.
India: 29/1 in 8 overs.
Rabada Sends Dhawan Back
It was only matter of time before Rabada got a wicket. He finally finds outside edge of Dhawan’s bat and de Kock holds onto it.
Shikhar Dhawan dismissed for 8.
India: 13/1 in 5.1 overs
Excellent Start For Rabada
It looks like Rabada is bowling with vengeance. He is steaming in at 140 kmph. In his very first over he creates two superb chances but unfortunately had no support from the fielders.
Dhawan fails to handle a steep bounce as the ball hits the glove but clears backward point and falls safely.
Two balls later, Rohit is at the receiving end. He gloves a bouncer that goes up. Faf tries to go for the catch from second slip, but couldn't pull off the catch.
The duo manages only one run from the over.
India: 4/0 in 2 overs
Maestro in the House!
Sachin Tendulkar, speaking at mid-innings, said now the onus would be on South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada.
“I know for sure Radaba will go all out at the start. This is their best chance to go all out and think as if they’re playing a Test match. So if they can pick 2-3 early wickets that can put pressure on the Indian batting line up though India bat quite deep. But still, nobody likes to lose early wickets,” said Tendulkar.
The momentum is with Rabada who remained unbeaten on 31 off 35 balls.
Talking about the approach of the Indian opener, who are not in good nick, Tendulkar said: “The approach from Rohit and Shikhar should be that there is no rush, it’s not a big total, but nothing is achieved till you get the runs on the board and if I was in their position I would go out and have a look at the first couple of overs and assess how much movement is there, off the pitch.”
“What kind of bounce Rabada and Morris are getting. I think the first spell will be really critical to set the tone. If you haven’t lost wickets in the early stages then we can capitalise on that and decide when and how to finish the game,” Tendulkar added.
Rahane in the Stands
Ajinkya Rahane, who is representing Hampshire in County Cricket, was in attendance for India’s campaign opener against South Africa at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, which is the home ground for Hampshire.
Speaking about the game, Rahane said: “With the new ball there was a lot of seam movement so we wanted to bowl hard lengths, hard Test match bowling. Early in roads are always useful for the team and to be able to do that was a good feeling. Sometimes when there is some seam movement, you don’t try to do too much. You just try to bowl good hard lengths so the batsman makes mistakes while trying to score runs.”
Rahane shared a picture of him with Sachin Tendulkar on the social media.
South Africa Finish With 227/9
A late surge from Morris and Rabada saw the Proteas reach a decent total of 227 after losing 9 wickets.
Bhuvneshwar bowled a superb last over to give away three runs and pick up two wickets. He dismissed the in-form Morris off a slower ball and on the last delivery he picked up Tahir who tried to slog him to cover.
Rabada remained unbeaten on 31 off 35 balls. He shared a 66-run stand with Morris for the eighth wicket.
South Africa: 227/9 in 50 overs
Rabada & Morris Take SA to 200
50 partnership for Morris and Rabada.
Despite losing seven wickets, all-rounder Chris Morris has taken the attack to the Indian bowlers as he hit two massive sixes. Rabada giving Morris the perfect support to make sure South Africa finish on a decent note.
South Africa: 209/7 in 47 overs
Best Bowling in a WC Debut For India
Yuzvendra Chahal finished the tie against South Africa with the second best bowling figures by an Indian on a World Cup debut.
Chahal picked up four wickets for 51 runs in his 10 overs. His wickets included that of Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo.
The record for best bowling debut by an Indian in a World Cup is held by Mohammad Shami, who finished with 4/35 against Pakistan in the previous edition of the World Cup.
Fourth Wicket For Chahal
Phehlukwayo tried to up the ante and in the process gives away his wicket. He gives the bowler a charge, the ball spins past the inside edge.
Dhoni almost dropped the chance but remained calm to complete the stumping off Chahal’s bowling.
Phehlukwayo goes for 36.
South Africa: 158/7 in 39.3 overs
First Six in the 39th Over
Andile Phehlukwayo hits Kuldeep Yadav the first six of the match after 39.2 overs.
It was a massive six over over wide long-on.
The Indian bowlers have been bowling so tight that none of the South African batsman could smash it over the boundary. The size of the ground also not helping the batsmen.
Miller Departs For 31
Chahal is on a roll at the Rosebowl. As soft as it can get, Miller gives a dolly back to Chahal and he doesn’t make a mistake. Miller’s hard work goes waste.
Miller goes back for 31.
South Africa: 135/6 in 35.3 overs
South Africa Consolidating
The Proteas have lost half their side. Miller and Phehlukwayo batting but not taking any chances at all. Indian bowlers are continuing their good work. Bumrah bowls a maiden over in between.
South Africa: 134/5 in 35 overs
Kedar Jadhav in Action
After days of speculation, Kedar Jadhav not only makes it to the playing XI but also gets to bowl. A good start for him with the ball. He gives only five runs.
Jadhav might end up bowling more than a couple of overs.
Now, Kuldeep Takes a Wicket
If Chahal is taking wickets, how can Kuldeep be far behind.
The wrist spinner tosses the ball. Duminy fails to read the ball and doesn’t bring his bat down on time. The on-field umpire didn’t waste time to give him out. But Duminy took his chance. But no change in decision. Looked plumb with three red.
Duminy goes for 3.
South Africa: 89/5 in 23 overs
Double Strike For Chahal
Chahal cleans Van der Dussen up in the first ball of the over. The South African premeditates as he tries a reverse sweep. Chahal pitches the ball on the leg stump. der Dussen misses and Chahal strikes.
Van der Dussen goes back for 22.
Chahal again hits the timber on the last ball. Skipper Van der Dussen goes back for 22. fail to read the slider as the delivery goes on to hit the off stump. The quicker ball does the job, the batsman hardly had any time to move.
Du Plessis walks back for 38
South Africa: 80/4 in 20 overs
PM Modi Sends His Good Wishes For Team India
Kuldeep, Pandya Continuing the Good Work
South Africa reach their fifty in the 15th over. Skipper Du Plessis and Der Dussen not taking any chances. The duo happy with singles and the odd boundary.
Kuldeep looking good in his World Cup debut while Pandya doing what he does best. Generating enough bounce to create problem for the South African batsman.
South Africa: 56/2 in 15 overs (Van der Dussen 13, Du Plessis 26)
End of Powerplay: South Africa 34/2 in 10 overs
It has been India all the way through for the first 10 overs, Jasprit Bumrah to be precise.
The Indian pair of Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah have got enough assistance from the pitch as well as the overhead conditions. And the South Africans are well aware of that. No taking enough risk. Despite that the openers have fallen prey to some great pace bowling from Jasprit Bumrah. Both Amla (6) and De Kock (10) back in the hut.
Excellent toss for India to lose!
South Africa: 34/2 in 10 overs (Van der Dussen 6, Du Plessis 11)
Bumrah Making His 50th Match Memorable
Second Wicket For Bumrah
Luck runs out for De Kock. Virat Kohli takes a blinder at the third slip off Jasprit Bumrah, who is really bending his back. The last delivery was 143 kmph and the extra bounce induces the outside edge.
What a World Cup debut for Bumrah! De kock goes for 10.
South Africa: 24/2 in 5 overs
Team India Never Short of Support
“The crowd support will be massive for us. Lots of people who live here and lots who are travelling here.” - Virat Kohli
1st WC Wicket For Bumrah
Hashim Amla goes for 6. The right-hand opener nicks one outside the off and Rohit Sharma doesn’t make a mistake at the second slip.
South Africa: 11/1 in 3.1 overs (De Kock 5, Amla 6)
Amla, De Kock Start Slow
After Bhuvi, Bumrah also gets a good start. Bumrah bowling past the 135 kmph mark and hitting the right length.
South Africa: 4/0 in 2 overs (De Kock 3, Amla 1)
Good Start by Bhuvi
South African opener Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock taking their time to settle down. Only two runs taken in the first over. A hint of movement into the batsman in the air for Bhuvneshwar.
South Africa: 2/0 in 1 overs (De Kock 1, Amla 1)
Both Teams on the Field
Both teams are on the field for the national anthem which means we aren’t too far away from the first ball of the match being bowled.
Playing XI
India captain Virat Kohli says Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah, Kuldeep and Chahal are the four specialist bowlers in the line-up. Hence, Shami misses out. All-rounder Hardik Pandya will be supported by Kedar Jadhav.
Injury-ravaged South Africa have brought spinner Tabraiz Shamsi into the playing XI, while playing two all-rounders in Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo.
South Africa's pace spearhead Dale Steyn was ruled out of the World Cup Tuesday due to a shoulder injury, while Lungi Ngidi too is nursing a hamstring strain.
India
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Lokesh Rahul, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
South Africa
Quinton de Kock(w), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis(c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Jean-Paul Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi
South Africa Win Toss
South African captain Faf du Plessis has won the toss and opted to bat against India at Southampton.
“We are having a bat. Mostly because of the makeup of the side against two spinners, that's the best option,” says Faf.
India vs South Africa: Head to Head
Team India are second in the ICC ODI rankings and purely on the basis of statistics, are favourites to get the better of South Africa; they’ve dominated the Proteas in recent years and defeated them 5-1 in a one-day series in their backyard last year.
However, in the four World Cup games these two teams have played, India have won just one and lost three. And even in overall ODIs, South Africa hold a 46-34 edge.
We’re about 15 minutes away from the toss. Stay tuned for all the latest updates!
Injury Blows to South Africa
Injured South African paceman Dale Steyn was ruled out of the tournament on the eve of the match, but opening batsman Hashim Amla is likely to be fit to play at Hampshire's Rose Bowl after missing the loss against Bangladesh because of concussion protocol.
Lungi Ngidi is sidelined for at least one more game after straining his left hamstring against Bangladesh, while Anrich Nortje was ruled out before the tournament with a broken thumb.
Virat Reacts to Rabada’s Criticism in Pre-Match Presser
In a press conference on the eve of their ICC World Cup campaign opener, India captain Virat Kohli said he hasn't heard any criticism directed at him by South Africa paceman Kagiso Rabada, and he wouldn't use a news conference as a forum to air it anyway.
Kohli also dropped a broad hint on Bhuvneshwar's possible inclusion in the playing eleven. "We know it is a different situation in England when there is a cloud cover and when there is sun out. With two new balls, if the pitch has something to offer, then an extra seamer comes into the play big time. But even on a good pitch, on a batting-friendly pitch with two new balls, I foresee the first 10 overs to be challenging if there is cloud cover,” he said.
Team India Enroute The Rose Bowl
The Indian cricket team are on their way to The Rose Bowl stadium in Southampton for their ICC World Cup campaign opener against South Africa.
There’s still about an hour before captains Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis walk out for the toss, which is scheduled to take place at 2.30 pm IST.
After six days and seven matches of the ICC World Cup, it’s finally time for the Men in Blue to kick off their campaign!
Team India are playing South Africa in their campaign opener at Southampton, and we will be bringing you all the latest updates from their first of nine league matches.
The Proteas are coming into this game on the back off two straight loses – having gone down against hosts England and underdogs Bangladesh.
While we wait for action to get underway, read our preview stories on the key battles to watch, the two teams’ past records, statistics and more!
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