IMAGES from the World Cup match between India and South Africa played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday
- SCORECARD
Continuing with his high-risk game, Rohit Sharma gave India a flourishing start but South Africa pegged the hosts back by removing the captain and his opening partner Shubhman Gill in their World Cup match, in Kolkata, on Sunday.
Rohit hit a 24-ball 40 and shared a 62-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill (23) but the Proteas left them fighting at 105 for two after 15 overs.
The flurry of shots from Rohit’s bat saw India complete 50 runs in just 4.3 overs as the skipper smashed two sixes and six boundaries during his entertaining innings.
However, Rohit could not build on the solid start with pacer Kagiso Rabada taking his wicket. Temba Bavuma hung on to a fast-travelling shot after Rohit could not get enough elevation to clear the fielder at mid-off.
The Proteas skipper swooped to his right to take a great catch.
Gill departed soon, flummoxed by a superb delivery from spinner Keshav Maharaj in the 11th over, which landed just outside leg, turned slightly to beat the young batting sensation and clip the bails.
For a moment Gill was in disbelief, not knowing if it was a stumping or he had been clean-bowled, However, TV referral showed the ball had indeed clipped the bails.
Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first against South Africa in their eagerly anticipated World Cup match at Eden Gardens on Sunday.
Both teams have already qualified for the semi-finals, with table-toppers India unbeaten in seven matches and South Africa second after six victories.
India named an unchanged side from their thumping win over Sri Lanka, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to an ankle injury.
“It looks like a good pitch and honestly it’s more to do with what we want to do as a team,” Rohit said. “It’s going to be a good game with two teams at the top of the table.
“I love playing here and the Indian team loves playing at this historic ground.”
South Africa made one change bringing in spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in place of Gerald Coetzee.
“Looking at the wicket, we would have batted first, but it will be a nice challenge for us to chase,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma.
“Chasing in an area where we need to get a lot more confidence.”
- World Cup 2023
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