The contest between South Africa and India at the 2023 World Cup was anticipated to be a clash of cricket heavyweights. However, the outcome of the match exposed a significant gap between the host nation, India, and the other teams participating in the tournament. Just three days after India’s dominant performance against Sri Lanka, where they bowled out their opponents for a mere 55 runs and secured a massive 302-run victory, India’s batting and bowling displayed excellence once again at Eden Gardens.
India’s Virat Kohli’s century and Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul played pivotal roles in India’s commanding 243-run victory over South Africa, marking their heaviest-ever defeat in a World Cup match. South Africa had arrived in Kolkata with high hopes, as they had won six of their previous seven matches and had the distinction of being the only team to defeat India when they last hosted the tournament in 2011.
However, this time, South Africa faced the ignominy of being dismissed by India for just 83 runs, their lowest-ever total in a 50-over World Cup match. South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, acknowledged that the initial 10 overs with the ball had posed a challenge, as India rapidly reached 61-0 after five overs and 91-1 after 10 overs. The conditions and their inability to adapt played significant roles in their performance.
Virat Kohli’s rock-solid 101 off 121 balls and his record-equalling 49th ODI century set a daunting target of 327 for South Africa. The battle for survival became a tough one for South Africa from the moment their opener, Quinton de Kock, fell early in the second over. Seven of their batsmen failed to reach double figures, illustrating their struggles.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, commended his team’s approach in the initial 10 overs, emphasizing their reliance on instincts. He also praised Kohli’s adaptability to the situation and Jadeja’s contributions as a matchwinner. With this win, India maintained their unbeaten record and secured the top spot in the World Cup group standings.
Although both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals, the result has raised hopes that India might secure their third 50-over World Cup trophy when the final takes place on November 19. India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, emphasized the team’s commitment to playing to their full potential whenever they take the field.
