Team India extended their unbeaten streak to eight in the ongoing World Cup as they annihilated South Africa by 243 runs at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday (November 5).
Opting to bat first, the Men in Blue posted a massive 326/5 on the board, courtesy of Virat Kohli’s record-equalling 49th ODI ton (101*) and Shreyas Iyer’s half-century (77).
Defending the total, Indian bowlers ran through the Proteas batting line-up, bundling them out for a paltry 83 in 27.1 overs. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball, claiming five wickets by conceding 33 runs in his 9 overs.
Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav (2-7) also picked up a couple of wickets while the pace duo of Mohammad Shami (2-18) and Mohammed Siraj (1-11) shared the remaining three scalps between them.
After the game, Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram heaped massive praise on India’s dominance, joking that a match between them and the rest of the world would be fair in this World Cup.
“Rest of the world versus India would be fair. Total domination in all three aspects of the game be it batting, bowling or fielding. No matter if they bat first or field first. Complete control in all these aspects of the game. What more do I say about today's performance?” said Akram on A Sports.
With his century, Kohli equalled the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 49 ODI tons. Virat, who turned 35 on November 5, took 277 innings to accomplish this feat as compared to 452 innings of Tendulkar.
Lauding Kohli, Akram added: “Congratulations to Virat Kohli for proving why we call him a modern-day great. He is at the top of the ladder. Today's wicket wasn't an easy one to bat on. The way Rohit Sharma batted took away all the pressure. Rohit Sharma is unbelievable. By the time the second wicket fell, the tide that shifted in India's favour and South Africa were just left catching up from then.”
This victory also guaranteed India the pole position on the points table irrespective of the result in their last league match. The hosts are due to face Netherlands in their last league match at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore on November 12.
