Southampton, June 6: One can never forget ‘Man of the Match’ receiver Rohit Sharma’s spectacular batting that yielded India a sweet victory against South Africa in India’s very first match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. However, we must salute the venomous Indian bowlers who didn’t let SA to cross the score of even 250!
Yesterday’s India’s victory was a perfect cohesion between a disciplined bowling and batting performance. The day in Southampton began with Jasprit Bumrah bowling a destructive new-ball spell that dismissed SA’s openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock. After a 54 run partnership by Faf du Plessis and Rassie Dussem, India’s another venomous snake Yuzvendra Chahal sent both to the pavilion in the same over.
The performance of Indian openers was bit disappointing as India could score just 50 runs in the first 15 overs. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli fell down. Then it came the tiger Rohit Sharma, who, with his own patient and steady inning and with a decisive partnership with K Rahul and MS Dhoni ensured the victory to India. It was Rohit’s 23rd ODI century who scored 122 runs in 144 balls with 13 boundaries and 2 sixes.
The match began with a normal over by Bhuvaneshwar Kumar but it turned colorful when Bumrah had the ball in his hand. He gave just 35 runs in 10 overs with two wickets. In fact, this is Bumrah’s World Cup debut.