Chahal Picks Up 4 Wickets as India Restrict South Africa to 227/9

Chahal returned with 4/51 in his 10 overs while Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took wickets each.

Yuzvendra Chahal picked up four wickets in India’s ICC World Cup match against South Africa.

(Photo: AP)

Team India got their ICC World Cup campaign off to a start with Yuzvendra Chahal picking up four wickets as the Men in Blue restricted South Africa to 227/9 at Southampton on 5 June.

South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis' decision to bat under overcast conditions backfired with Jasprit Bumrah (10-1-35-2) setting the tone with twin blows in his opening spell.

Chahal (10-0-51-4) then tightened the noose on South African batsmen as they could never really force the pace during the middle overs. Incidentally, this was the best 10-over single spell (in terms of wickets taken) by any bowler in a World Cup game.

India restricted South Africa to 227/9 at Southampton on 5 June.(Photo: AP)

South Africa's total got some semblance of respectability courtesy Chris Morris (42 off 34) and Kagiso Rabada (31 not out off 35), who shared a much needed 66-run stand for the eighth wicket.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (10-0-44-2) coming in place of Mohammed Shami was impressive in his second spell.

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Jasprit Bumrah's lively opening spell saw the Indian pacer remove both the Proteas openers and restrict South Africa to 34-2 in the first 10 overs – the worst opening power play for a batting team in the tournament to date.

Veteran opener Hashim Amla (6) was caught at second slip in the fourth over and Quinton de Kock (10) was caught at third slip by Indian captain Virat Kohli in the six to leave South Africa reeling at 24 for 2.

South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis, right, and Rassie van der Dussen run between the wickets to score during the Cricket World Cup match.(Photo: AP)

Captain du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen then stitched a 54-run stand for the third wickets before Chahal dismissed both the batsman in the 20th over, reducing the opponents to 80/4.

Dussen (22) was bowled attempting a reverse sweep but playing all around the ball, and skipper Faf du Plessis (38) was bowled between bat and pad on the last ball of the over.

Soon after JP Duminy (3) was trapped lbw by left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and the Proteas were tottering at 103-5 at the halfway mark.

David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo once again attempted at stabilising their innings with a 46-run partnership, after which tail-enders Chris Morris (42) and Kagiso Rabada (31*) added 66 runs for the 8th wicket to help South Africa put up a respectable total.