MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – India exuded supreme confidence as they claimed their first Cricket World Cup win over South Africa in decisive fashion Sunday with a 130-run victory in their Pool B match.
Player of the Match Shikhar Dhawan crafted a stylish century to set the platform for a big total of 307-7, ably assisted by a half century from Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli’s 46.
India then dominated South Africa’s batsmen with tight bowling and sharp fielding.
“Getting 300 runs was fantastic. It was definitely a par-plus score for this wicket,” India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. “And when we turned up with the ball I think we bowled in the right areas and made it tough for the opposition to score.”
India are now undefeated in two pool matches at the World Cup after a 76-run win over arch-rival Pakistan last week.
“Having back-to-back wins, especially the kind of wins we’ve had in the last two games, is tough to get,” Dhoni added.
The Indian bowlers never allowed South Africa to settle into their innings, claiming wickets with a regularity that denied the batsmen the chance to establish worthwhile partnerships.
Offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin had India’s best figures of 3-41, while Mohammed Shami (2-30) and Mohit Sharma (2-31) took two wickets each in an assured bowling display.
“It’s a big knock for us to get beaten by 130 runs. It’s almost embarrassing,” South Africa captain A.B. de Villiers said.
India 307-7 in 50 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 137, Ajinkya Rahane 79, Virat Kohli 46, M.S. Dhoni 18; Morne Morkel 2-59). South Africa 177 in 40.2 overs (Francois du Plessis 55, AB De Villiers 30, Hashim Amla 22, David Miller 22, Wayne Parnell 17; Ravichandran Ashwin 3-41, Mohammed Shami 2-30, Mohit Sharma 2-31). India won by 130 runs.
