It was India's first win against South Africa at the World Cup after three previous losses.
India announced themselves as genuine contenders to defend their World Cup title on Sunday by humbling South Africa for an emphatic 130-run victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
In front of a heaving crowd of 86,000, opener Shikhar Dhawan's sparkling 137 and Ajinkya Rahane's explosive 79 fired India to a mammoth 307-7, which ensured that their opponents needed a record chase to win.
India were outstanding in the field, as they ran out two batsmen, with South Africa being skittled out for 177 with 10 overs to spare, as they lost their last seven wickets for 44 runs. It was India's first win against South Africa at the World Cup after three previous losses.
Though the match may have little consequence for their respective campaigns, India roared on by a blue-clad, flag-waving army of fans, will have reaped a huge confidence boost from downing the highly-fancied South Africans following their opening win over Pakistan.
Cricket World Cup 2015 India v/s South Africa: India vanquish South Africa, win by 130 runs
Melbourne resident Dhawan's sparkling ton anchored century-plus partnerships with Virat Kohli (46) and Rahane, as AB de Villiers' men toiled on a steamy day in the field after losing the toss. In an uncharacteristically clumsy fielding display, the Proteas dropped three catches, including a sharp chance to Hashim Amla at backward point that reprieved Dhawan on 53.
Adding to the Proteas' woes was an apparent hamstring injury to seamer Vernon Philander who bowled just four overs. India by contrast were positive in their fielding, with Mohit and Mahendra Singh Dhoni combining to run out de Villiers for 30, to end a 68-run partnership with Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis was unable to dig in after raising his half-century, miscuing a slog straight to Dhawan at mid-off to be out for 55 and leave his team reeling at 133-4.
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JP Duminy (6) and David Miller (22) followed quickly, the latter run out by an excellent throw from Umesh Yadav at square leg. The South African tail then collapsed quickly, as Ravichandran Ashwin finished with 3-41, whereas Mohammed Shami and medium pacer Mohit grabbed two wickets each.
South Africa dropped Farhaan Behardien in favour of Wayne Parnell and the move back-fired as the latter conceded 85 runs from his nine overs. Parnell would eventually dismiss Dhawan in the 44th over after the 29-year-old skied a pull shot to Amla at long leg, having raised his seventh ODI century.
The faith in Imran Tahir was better-placed though, as the leg-spinner captured Kohli's wicket with a full toss. Rahane bashed three sixes in a glittering 60-ball knock before being trapped leg-before by Steyn with four overs to spare.
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 "Team-India (File photo)")
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