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India vs South Africa Champions Trophy 2017 cricket match highlights : India Thrash South Africa By 8 Wickets To Move To Semis

India vs South Africa Champions Trophy 2017 cricket match highlights : India Thrash South Africa By 8 Wickets To Move To Semis

When India and South Africa turned out for the virtual Group B quarterfinal that was the Match 11 of the Champions Trophy, played out at the Oval, a history of unlucky misses hung heavy over the Proteas, popularly referred to as the derogatory sounding ‘choking’. However much they were favored to win this clash against an Indian side that looked very much out of depth against a depleted Sri Lankan side in their previous game, the Indians still fancied their chances, given that South Africa has never won an ICC tournament, flagging out in the crucial matches. And it was to be, as they were bundled out for a measly 191, to defend which would be a miracle against the Indian batting, which carried stalwarts like Kohli, Dhoni and Sharma. And it was to be, as India chased down the target with 8 wickets and 72 balls still to be bowled.

Although they got off to a sedate start when Rohit Sharma was removed by in-form Morne Morkel right in the beginning, and a well-set field as well as some precise bowling tied up the usually aggressive Kohli, but Kohli built a sturdy partnership with Shikhar Dhawan, who had got a century in the previous match, getting increasingly bold as they put on 128 runs for the second wicket to ensure the Indian team reached ashore without any major hiccups.

Dhawan scored a third consecutive fifty in as many matches, and his good form egged the skipper as he posted his 41st. Just as he was looking to finish things off quickly, he misread Imran and was dismissed for 78, close to perhaps another century. This brought on the in-form Yuvraj Singh, who showed some patience to finish things off and ensure a semi-final berth against Bangladesh for the defending champs.

Earlier in the day, it was a day for Indian bowlers and fielders. R Ashwin was brought back into the attack after the terrible performance against Sri Lanka, and he did not disappoint when he removed the dangerous Amla with a flighted delivery. South Africa collapsed in the middle overs, losing 3 wickets for 19 runs, with two of them being run outs of key players AB de Villiers and last match’s hero David Miller. Faf du Plessis scored a fighting half century, but his dismissal sounded the doom for the Proteas, as they collapsed in a heap to be bowled out in 45 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah picked up a couple of wickets apiece, setting the stage for an easy run chase and victory for the Indians.

Champions Trophy 2017 India vs South Africa Brief Scores:

South Africa 191 in 44.3 overs (Quinton de Kock 53, Faf du Plessis 36; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-23, Jasprit Bumrah 2-28)

India 193/2 in 38 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 78, Virat Kohli 76*; Imran Tahir 1-37, Morne Morkel 1-38)

Final Result :- India Won by 8 wickets

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Aiman

Keenly interested in sports of all sorts, I am a physicist by training and curious about everything.