Defending World Champions India annihilated South Africa by 177 runs in their Pool B encounter at the MCG. With this win, India is likely to top the Group B as the table toppers from the group. Here we look at the reasons why India defeated South Africa.
1. Completely outplayed South Africa in all three departments
Before the first ball was bowled, the match was supposed to tilt towards South Africa considering the forms of both the teams coming into the World Cup. That was where a lot was expected from the Proteas as they went as the favourites to get away with those two points which could be crucial in judging the team that will top the group B. But at the end of the day, the Proteas were completely outplayed by India in all the three departments which led to a 130 run victory for the men in blue.
a. Batting
After losing Rohit Sharma early in the match courtesy a mix-up between with Shikhar Dhawan, India’s Vice-Captain Virat Kohli, along with Dhawan ensured that India does not panic in that situation and batted responsibly as they saw through the first few overs in which the new ball bowlers could have been a real threat. Both kept rotating the strikes and kept the scorecard ticking before Dhawan cut loose after crossing his half-century. Virat Kohli got out when he tried to smash Imran Tahir over Faf Du Plessis at mid-wicket. It was when Ajinkya Rahane walked in and started a counter-attack right away. Rahane batted with an elegance mixed with aggression as he dispatched the protea bowlers all over the park. In the mean-time, Dhawan reached his seventh ODI ton and stepped up the accelerator. His six off Dale Steyn over the long-on region was a gracious shot off his bat. Rahane and Dhawan put on 125 runs in 16 overs before Dhawan was caught by long-leg off Wayne Parnell for 137. Soon after Rahane also departed after putting his side in a strong position. A late cameo from MS Dhoni in the end along with a flurry of wickets propelled India to 307-7 in fifty overs, which is more than a par score at MCG.
b. Bowling
More often, Indian bowling would let the batsmen down, but this time, it wasn’t the case. Defending 308 at MCG might be a huge task but knowing the Indian bowling and the South African batting line-up, there could have been an upset. But the Indian bowlers thought otherwise as they backed the good work of the batsmen and did a fantastic job. India’s spearhead Mohammad Shami drew the first blood as he dismissed opener Quinton de Kock, who scored three consecutive tons against India a couple of years ago. South Africa’s best batsman Hashim Amla too didn’t last long as he perished to Mohit Sharma. After a brief partnership between AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, the bowled extremely well as they struck at regular intervals and had the opposition on the mat. Mohammad Shami and Mohit Sharma picked two wickets apiece while spinner R Ashwin accounted for 3 wickets bundling out the Proteas for 177.
c. Fielding
It was not only India’s bowling but also their fielding that rose to the occasion. The Indian fieldwes complimented their fielders and matched their South African counterparts in the field as they dived around to save some crucial runs in the field restriction overs. It was also because of India’s fielding the men in blue got an opening. When AB de Villiers were threatening to take the game away from India, it was a great effort from Mohit Sharma at deep point region who threw the ball to skipper MS Dhoni who disturbed the bails in a flash to send De Villiers packing. Then it was the turn of David Miller, who under-estimated an Indian fielder and took on Umesh Yadav at deep square-leg. But just like AB de Villiers’ dismissal, the fielder and skipper combined well to dismiss Miller.
2. MS Dhoni’s Captaincy
As Sourav Ganguly said, MS Dhoni’s captaincy would be the X-Factor India was looking for in this World Cup. The Indian captain rotated his bowlers well, contained the run flow with some good field setting, created pressure in the batsmen’s mind and waited for them to commit mistakes and get out. He did repeated the process well to perfection and got the better of the South Africans. He also backed his pacers to bowl short which proved right in the end. One has to credit Dhoni for his decision to play two spinners at MCG where it does not offer anything for the spinners.
3. Home Advantage for India
Indian team might have been spending the last three months in the Australian soil, but the conditions surrounding them must have created some doubts in the minds of the players. The Indian fans turned up in huge numbers and cheered for the team wherever they have played. They cheered for the team throughout the match and made the team feel like a home game. Not only the crowd, but also the on-field conditions suited the Indians. The wicket spun and gave the Indian spinners chance to do well.
Having peaked early, the onus will be on Team India to maintain the consistency throughout the tournament and defend the World Cup crown.