India Dominates South Africa Another CWC 2023 Triumph
On 06th Nov 2023, the 2023 Cricket World Cup witnessed a showdown between two giants of the cricketing world: India and South Africa. While the anticipation was high for a fierce battle, what unfolded at the Eden Gardens on that Sunday painted a clear picture of the gulf that existed between the hosts and the rest of the teams competing in the tournament. Just three days after decimating Sri Lanka, restricting them to a mere 55 runs and securing a resounding 302-run victory over the 1996 World Cup champions, India showcased their prowess in both batting and bowling once again on this memorable day. India Dominates South Africa Another CWC 2023 Triumph.
- Location – Eden Gardens, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
- Date – 05 NOV 2023
- Score Summary:
- India 326 for 5 in 50 overs: Virat Kohli (101), Shreyas Iyer(77), Ravindra Jadeja (5-33).
- South Africa 83 all out in 27.1 overs: Marco Jansen (14), Rassie Van Der Dussen (13), Keshav Maharaj (1-30).
- Man Of the Match – Virat Kohli (India) (Score 101 runs in 121 balls)
A Century and a Five-Wicket Haul
In a performance that will be remembered for years to come, India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli hammered a remarkable century, while Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul left the cricketing world in awe. Together, they propelled the host nation to a staggering 243-run win over South Africa. This victory marked South Africa’s heaviest defeat in World Cup history, highlighting India’s dominance on the global stage.
South Africa’s Hopes Dashed
South Africa had arrived in Kolkata with high hopes, fueled by their recent successes. They had won six of their previous seven matches and carried the honor of being the only team to have defeated India when the tournament was hosted by the Asian side in 2011. On that memorable occasion, India faced a shocking defeat as they lost their last six wickets for just 13 runs, allowing South Africa to secure a three-wicket win with two balls to spare in a group-stage match in Nagpur.
The Spectacular Collapse
Fast forward twelve years, and South Africa found themselves humbled, bowled out by India for a paltry 83 runs. This total marked South Africa’s lowest ever in a 50-over World Cup, and their struggle against India’s bowling attack was evident from the very beginning.
“The first 10 overs with the ball made it a challenge,” remarked South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma. His side had a daunting task of containing an explosive Indian batting lineup. The Indian team cruised to 61-0 after just five overs and further accelerated to 91-1 after ten overs, setting the stage for a formidable total.
India’s Commanding Innings
India’s dominance was evident not only in their bowling but also in their batting performance. Although the early run rate of 12.2 or 9.10 over 50 overs wasn’t sustained, Virat Kohli’s masterful innings solidified India’s position. Kohli, who reached a milestone by scoring his 49th ODI century, drawing level with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, set a daunting target of 327 runs for the South Africans.
From the moment Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s opener, fell for just five runs in the second over, the situation grew increasingly challenging for the Proteas. Seven of their batsmen failed to reach double figures, reflecting the difficulty they faced in the match.
India’s Winning Streak
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, praised the team’s approach: “Going hard in the first 10 overs isn’t something we’ve discussed. That’s how (Shubman) Gill and I have batted together. We let our instincts take over.” This mindset allowed them to take control and establish an early dominance.
“Kohli batted to the situation,” Rohit Sharma continued. “Jadeja has been really good. Big matchwinner. He keeps doing the job, goes under the radar but today is a classic case of what he does — score late runs and take wickets.”
A Hopeful Future
Although both India and South Africa had already qualified for the semi-finals before their encounter at the Eden Gardens, the result has raised hopes among Indian fans that their team will lift the 50-over World Cup trophy for a third time. The previous triumphs came in 1983 and 2011, and with their current form and stellar performances, the dreams of millions of fans are now focused on the upcoming final on November 19.
In conclusion, India’s resounding victory over South Africa at the 2023 Cricket World Cup stands as a testament to their cricketing excellence. With their comprehensive win and formidable performances, India has firmly established itself as a front runner in the tournament. The memories of this historic match at the Eden Gardens will undoubtedly be etched in the annals of cricketing history, leaving fans eager to witness India’s potential victory in the World Cup final.
