Virat Kohli’s outstanding performance in the match against South Africa saw him equalling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries. His unbeaten 101 runs played a pivotal role in India’s competitive total of 326 at the challenging Eden Gardens surface. Kohli’s steady century acted as the anchor for India’s innings, supported by noteworthy contributions from Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Ravindra Jadeja. Throughout the 50 overs, the Indian team adjusted their strategy to post a total that Kohli himself described as ‘above par.’
The match began with a very different pitch feel when Rohit Sharma led the Indian team after winning the toss on a sultry afternoon in Kolkata. In his characteristic style, the Indian captain set the tempo with a blistering 24-ball 40, taking on South Africa’s new-ball pairing of Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen. Rohit displayed his attacking prowess by hitting six fours and two sixes during an opening stand of 62 runs in just 5.5 overs. Shubmam Gill partnered with Rohit in this early display of aggression, and boundaries flowed from both ends until Kagiso Rabada managed to have Rohit caught at mid-off with a rasping drive.
Despite losing Rohit’s wicket, India had already amassed 91 runs in the PowerPlay, and South Africa’s specialist in this phase, Marco Jansen, remained wicketless. However, the game’s complexion changed when spin was introduced in the 11th over. Keshav Maharaj produced a magical delivery with his third ball, which dipped on Gill, pitching on leg stump and spinning past his attempted forward defense to hit the top of off.
With the pitch offering significant turn, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer focused on accumulating singles, with the phase between the 11th and 20th over yielding just a solitary boundary, in stark contrast to the preceding 10 overs. While Maharaj bowled his 10 overs consecutively without conceding a single boundary, South Africa’s second spinner of the afternoon, Tabraiz Shamsi, struggled with control, and his length errors were quickly capitalized on by Iyer. After a period of stasis, Iyer quickly increased the scoring rate.
Both batters reached their fifties and pushed the run-rate back above six runs per over. Iyer was the dominant partner now, welcoming the returning Jansen with three fours in an over. However, against the run of play, his enterprising knock ended at 77 when he miscued an attempted lofted shot off Ngidi. KL Rahul and Kohli found it challenging to maintain the same fluency with the older ball, and Rahul perished to Jansen. Overs 35-40 brought India only 20 runs, and boundaries became harder to come by.
Kohli continued to work diligently at one end, hitting the gaps and running hard for his runs. He was supported in the quest to push India past 300 by cameos from Suryakumar Yadav (22 off 14) and Ravindra Jadeja (29* off 15). Kohli reached the much-awaited milestone off the 119th ball he faced, making it his joint-slowest century in the format. The late flourish at the other end meant India set South Africa a daunting target to chase, facing the tournament’s most formidable bowling attack.
Brief Scores: India 326/5 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 101*, Shreyas Iyer 77; Keshav Maharaj 1-30) vs South Africa
Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
@Cricket Betting Tips
