By Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket maestro, marked his 35th birthday with a spectacular century, securing India’s unbeaten record in the group stage. The contest on a Sunday, featuring the top two teams in the tournament, turned into a one-sided affair as India triumphed over South Africa by a resounding 243-run margin.
India, batting first, posted a formidable total of 326-5. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 101 was the centrepiece of the innings, levelling him with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar at 49 one-day international hundreds.
Kohli’s brilliant century was supported by Shreyas Iyer’s impressive 77, which included seven fours and two sixes. The duo’s solid third-wicket partnership of 134 runs laid the foundation for India’s commanding total.
In response, South Africa’s chase began disastrously as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Ravindra Jadeja, India’s star all-rounder, proved to be the chief tormentor, claiming a magnificent five-wicket haul for just 33 runs.
His exceptional performance was complemented by Mohammed Shami, who picked up two crucial wickets for a mere 18 runs. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in, taking one and two wickets respectively. South Africa found themselves reeling at 83 runs all-out in 27.1 overs, a far cry from the imposing target of 327.
Like their Indian counterparts, South Africa had already secured their spot in the semi-finals. However, their performance in this match left much to be desired, casting doubts on their preparedness for the knockout stages.
Marco Jansen emerged as the highest scorer for South Africa with just 14 runs, highlighting their struggle against India’s bowling attack. Jansen had also faced a daunting challenge earlier when he conceded 94 runs in nine overs to India’s formidable batters.
South Africa’s batting lineup crumbled in the face of India’s relentless attack. The Proteas lost half their side for a mere 40 runs within the first 14 overs, and their misery continued throughout the match.
Lungi Ngidi, who had earlier dismissed Shreyas Iyer, later suffered an apparent hamstring injury, compounding South Africa’s woes. With this loss, South Africa faces an uphill battle to regain their confidence as they head into the knockout stages of the tournament.
Virat Kohli’s 35th birthday will undoubtedly be remembered as one of his most special ones. With his unbeaten century, he not only anchored India’s innings but also reached a milestone of 500 runs in the tournament.
His exceptional form and leadership continue to be a source of inspiration for his team, and his pursuit of one-day international centuries draws him ever closer to the cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.
In conclusion, Virat Kohli’s birthday century, along with an outstanding team performance, secured India’s dominance over South Africa in this World Cup clash. While India maintains their 100% record in the group stage, South Africa faces the challenge of regaining their confidence and form as they move forward in the tournament.
