India Vs South Africa, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli's Record-Equalling 49th ODI Century, Ravindra Jadeja's Fifer Hand India 243-run Win Over Proteas - As It Happened

Virat Kohli's record-equalling century and Ravindra Jadeja's five wickets ensured India hammered South Africa by 243 runs in the top of the table battle at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. Virat Kohli scored a world record-equalling century (101 not out) and that too on his 35th birthday, as India posted a huge 326/5 after opting to bat first. Rohit Sharma (40) and Shreyas Iyer (77) played some crucial knocks themselves as Kohli's knock ensured India crossed the 300-run mark. In reply, Ravindra Jadeja scalped five wickets (5/33) whereas Mohammed Shami also plucked two wickets as Protea batters had no answers to the lethal Indian bowling attack. Get IND Vs RSA highlights and updates here. (Report | Scorecard | Full Coverage)

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8:47 PM: Player Of The Match - Virat Kohli
"It was a big game and we were playing the toughest team in the tournament who have played well so far. Because it's my birthday it becomes more special. I had the sense it's going to be something more than just one more game in the World Cup. I woke up with that excitement. People from the outside look at the game in a different way to us. When the openers start that way it looks a belter but with the old ball it slows down. I did the job the team required me to do and everyone can express themselves around me. Once were above 315 we knew it was above par."

On equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries: "For me it's too much to take in right now. To equal my hero's record is a huge honour. People like comparisons. I am never going to be as good as him. He is perfection with batting. It's an emotional moment. I know where I come from and to watch him on TV. His appreciation means a lot to me. I am enjoying playing cricket all over again. I am happy God has blessed me with that enjoyment."

8:35 PM: RSA - 83 All Out, IND Win By 243 Runs
Ravindra Jadeja plucked five wickets as India hammered South Africa by 243 runs in this clash of the top-2 in the ICC World Cup 2023 fixture in Eden Gardens. Kuldeep Yadav took the final wicket to dismiss Lungi Ngidi as the Gardens was fileld with fireworks. The Indian goliath marches on and their next opponent is the Netherlands. Good luck to the Dutch though!

8:07 PM: RSA - 69/7, IND - 326/5; Overs 11-20 Highlights
Indian bowlers continued their ominous form with the ball as South African batters fell like nine pins in this phase. Four wickets fell in this phase as Ravindra Jadeja scalped four wickets as he spun the match in India's favour. The Proteas did manage to score 34 runs but at the cost of crucial wickets. Mohammed Shami got the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen as he trapped the Protea batter plumb.

7:17 PM: RSA - 35/3, IND - 326/5; Overs 1-10 Highlights
India started off their defense of 326 with a wicket of Quinton de Kock who was bowled by Mohammed Siraj. Then, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen tried to block the deliveries but the former was bowled too, off Ravindra Jadeja. The Powerplay ended on a sweet note for the Indians with the wicket of Aiden Markram who was caught by KL Rahul off Mohammed Shami. South Africa scored only 35 in this phase for the loss of three wickets

7:08 PM - Social Media Flooded With Virat Kohli Tributes
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with tributes to the chase-master, Virat Kohli. Read more as to what they said here

6:38 PM - Run-chase Begins For The Proteas
South Africa begin their run-chase of 327 against India. Remember, the Proteas have achieved the 300-plus totals in this WC batting first. So, this will be a challenge.

6:05 PM - Virat Kohli In His Post-match Interview:
Virat Kohli - "It was a wicket that was tricky to bat on, we got a great start from Rohit and Shubman, my job was to keep it going on. The ball started gripping and turning, it slowed down and then my role was to bat deep. That was what was communicated to me by the team management, Shreyas played well and we got a few more runs towards the end. We had a lot of chats during the Asia Cup, we bat at 3 and 4, so this was the partnership that was needed to take the game forward. We don't have Hardik in the team, so we knew a wicket or two could cost us, we had to dig deep and take the match deep. I'm grateful to god for giving me the chance to play and contribute to the team's success. It's great to get a hundred on my birthday in front of this big crowd at this great venue. The pitch is on the slower side, we have a quality bowling line-up as well, but we'll have to work hard. Wickets will be the key, getting a couple early will put them under pressure with the way this pitch is behaving."

5:59 PM - IND - 326/5; Overs 41-50 Highlights
Virat Kohli brought up his 49th ODI century and also equalled the record with Sachin Tendulkar as India posted a mammoth 326 for the loss of five wickets. Suryakumar Yadav contributed well but his innings was cut short by a great catch by Quinton de Kock. Ravindra Jadeja then hit few boundaries in the dying overs as Proteas lost Lungi Ngidi due to injury. Ravi Shastri on-air suggested that the total was a 'huge' one and it will be a difficult chase for South Africa under lights. India scored 87 in this phase and lost two wickets.

5:50 PM - More On The Birthday Boy, Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli now has 543 runs and counting in the tournament and will have one eye on breaking Tendulkar's record for most runs at a single World Cup, which stands at 673.

5:48 PM - 49th ODI Ton For Virat Kohli

5:04 PM - IND 239/3; Overs 31-40 Highlights
India lost the wicket of Shreyas Iyer (77) to Lungi Ngidi, who was doing exceptionally well alongside Virat Kohli. The Indian pair put up a 134-run stand. The Men In Blue managed to score only 60 runs in this phase as the Proteas tightened the screws. Ngidi was hit on the leg and needed treatment. Temba Bavuma brought on Aiden Markram but he was taken to the cleaners by Kohli and Iyer.

4:20 PM - Another Milestone For King Kohli

4:10 PM - IND 179/2; Overs 21-30 Highlights
India motored along as the Proteas plugged the run rate. In hope of finding a wicket, SA lost a review as well. Spin duo of Maharaj and Shamsi bowled a few overs in tandem as Indian run flow was kept in check. Virat Kohli got his half-century as him alongside Shreyas Iyer put the bad balls away. Iyer even managed to slam a six off Shamsi's over.

4:06 PM - A Special Guest In The Comm Box
In the match between India and South Africa, former Proteas skipper AB de Villiers is in the commentary box alongside Ravi Shastri and Shaun Pollock.

3:33 PM - IND 124/2; Overs 11-20 Highlights
Shubman Gill fell to Keshav Maharaj's peach of a delivery in the 11th over as the fiery opener was bowled. Soon, Shreyas Iyer joined Virat Kohli at the crease as the duo battled and looked to block away deliveries. India managed to score only 33 in this phase post the the loss of Gill. Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada bowled few tight overs.

3:19 PM - IND's Run Rate Has Reduced Considerably!
After a fast start by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, the Men In Blue's current run rate has fallen down considerably. Both the set openers are back in the hut and with Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer at the crease, Proteas has plugged the scoring rate. India's CRR reads - 6.53 per over.

2:51 PM - IND 91/1; Overs 1-10 Highlights
Some exhilarating batting was on display at the Eden Gardens and not to forget some quality bowling too, especially Kagiso Rabada. Marco Jansen started on a poor note as he gave away 17 runs in his first over. Also, this is the first time in the 2023 ODI World Cup that Marco Jansen hasn't picked up a wicket in the powerplay. Rohit Sharma hit few boundaries off Lungi Ngidi and Marcon Jansen but Kagiso Rabada go the Indian skipper out on 40. Virat Kohli joined the crease and hit Rabada for a couple of fours.

2:46 PM - 'Birthday Boy' Virat Kohli Has Joined Shubman Gill At The Crease; IND: 82/1
Virat Kohli has joined Shubman Gill after the dismissal of Rohit Sharma. The Birthday Boy missed a few in the over of Kagiso Rabada but eventually survived. The 35-year-old is on 48 tons and if he scores one today, will equal the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 tons.

2:35 PM - IND - 62/1; Rohit Sharma Perishes
Despite a blistering start, Rohit Sharma was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada as the Indian skipper was sent back on 40 runs. The Indian skipper came down the crease and was looking to hit over but he got too close to the ball, and did not get the desired elevation as the ball went straight to his South African countepart, Temba Bavuma.

2:29 PM - IND - 61/0; Overs 1-5 Highlights
India won the toss and elected bat first at Eden Gardens against South Africa. Marco Jansen gave away 17 runs in his first over as India most notably, Rohit Sharma, bludgeoned the Proteas bowlers all over the Gardens. Such was the brutal force of Rohit that India raced to fifty under five overs. Stat -: India got to 50 in 4.3 overs, the second fastest team 50 in WC 2023 after Australia (4.1 overs) vs NZ in Dharamsala.

2:04 PM - Action Gets Underway
Lungi Ngidi bowled the first over with Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the crease. South Africa take on India at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

1:39 PM - Captains Speak
Temba Bavuma - "We would have batted first, but now we need to chase, which will be a nice challenge. We know that;s one area where we need to gain more confidence, we'll have to bat with responsibility. We have been putting on good consistent performances and we'll look to improve going forward. One change - Shamsi comes in place of Gerald Coetzee."

Rohit Sharma - "We will bat first. Looks like a good pitch, it wasn't to do with the pitch, we wanted to challenge ourselves. It'll be a good game, two teams who have played consistent cricket and have topped the table, will be nice to win and go on top. I love to play over here, not just me, the entire team looks forward to play at this historic ground. We're playing the same team, don't think we need to change anything with the way we've been playing."

1:36 PM - Playing XIs
South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

1:24 PM - Pitch Report
It looks like a better surface when compared to the last game, that pitch had a lot more spots. It did turn a bit, but it got better under dew. This pitch has a lot of spots at one end, not a lot from the other end. It does look slow, there will not be a lot of bounce, the batters need to adjust to this surface. It has got a nice tan and there is some grass on the surface. Both teams have got their bases covered. A bat-first track: Ravi Shastri and Irfan Pathan say on the official broadcaster in their pitch report.

1:16 PM -  Virat Kohli Catching Up On An 'Old' Friend At Eden Gardens

12:50 PM - Weather Conditions        

The weather in Kolkata is expected to be around 33°C with 51% humidity and a 4% chance of rain.       

12:40 PM - Head-to-head        

India and South Africa have faced each other in 90 ODIs in which 50 matches are won by South Africa and 37 matches by India. In the ODI World Cup, both have clashed 5 times and South Africa won 3 games whereas India won 2 games.

12:30 PM - Preview! 

Seven wins from seven only tells half the story; India have been so dominant in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 thus far, that they are now the heavy favourites to win the whole thing! The hosts come into their penultimate league stage match looking to maintain their unbeaten run, which, in turn, will allow them to carry the momentum into the semis, but face their mightiest challenge yet in South Africa. 

Standing in between birthday-boy Virat Kohli and Co and a perfect league stage run are the likes of Quinton De Kock, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Kagiso Rabada, and many more. Barring a shock loss against the Netherlands, South Africa have won six of their seven games, several of those by comfortable margins. Having already secured their place in the semis, the task ahead for the World Cup hopefuls is simple: kill India's momentum. 

Squads:

India Squad - Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav

South Africa Squad - Temba Bavuma (C), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.

Preview
Hello and welcome to the India vs South Africa, Match 37, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Match Blog. Unbeaten india face their toughest test yet in the form of the mighty South Africa, who remain the only team to have joined the hosts in the semi-finals at the time of writing. Both India and South Africa head into the match in fine form, with a packed Eden Gardens in Kolkata expected to be witness to a great clash.

Virat Kohli finally reached the record-equalling 49th ODI ton, held by the great Sachin Tendulkar, on his 35th birthday as India posted 326 for 5 against South Africa at Eden Gardens. Kohli remained unbeaten on 101 but it was not before vital contributions from India's top-order that brought them towards this huge score. Shreyas Iyer scored a handy 77 whereas Rohit Sharma scored a blistering 24-ball 40 at the top of the order. Earlier, India had won the toss and opted to bat first against the Proteas in Eden Gardens on Sunday. Kagiso Rabada was the most economical bowler for South Africa with 1/48 in 10 overs as well as Keshav Maharaj (1/30) who scalped Shubman Gill.