India vs South Africa 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup: Shikhar Dhawan’s 137 among Top 3 highlights of IND’s innings vs SA

Shikhar Dhawan's 137 helped India post a massive total of 307 for seven in their 50 overs against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket ground (MCG) on Sunday. The Group B Match 13 was the second

Published: February 22, 2015 12:57 PM IST

By Aayush Puthran

India vs South Africa 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup: Shikhar Dhawan’s 137 among Top 3 highlights of IND’s innings vs SA

Shikhar Dhawan’s 137 helped India post a massive total of 307 for seven in their 50 overs against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket ground (MCG) on Sunday. The Group B Match 13 was the second encounter of the tournament for both sides. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first. After a shaky star, Indian batsmen dominated the proceedings of the innings. Here is a look at the top three highlights of the first innings of IND vs SA.


1) Rohit Sharma’s run-out:
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first. However, India’s innings didn’t get off to a good start on a pitch ideal for batting. The boundary ropes were brought in. But Dale Steyn, showed right in the first over why dealing with South African pacers wouldn’t be an easy task. Rohit Shama faced a hostile first over where Steyn was swinging the ball at good pace. Watch the Free Live Streaming of IND vs SA here.

However, Sharma knew little that a bit of hesitation in running could cause his downfall. JP Duminy made a brilliant save at cover and deflected the ball to AB de Villiers at extra cover. The South African skipper threw the ball directly at the non-striker’s end and the Indian opener was just a few steps out of the crease. He had to walk back to the pavilion with India’s score at nine.

2) Shikhar Dhawan-Virat Kohli partnership: Much like what the second-wicket duo did against Pakistan, they consolidated the innings against the Proteas. Without taking too many risks, they worked the ball around the field for easy singles and twos. A hamstring injury to Vernon Philander helped their case as they went on to pile 127 runs in 146 balls for the second wicket and put India in command of the innings.

Right after Virat Kohli’s dismissal, Ajinkya Rahane walked out to bat. He too went on to add a century stand for the third wicket with Shikhar Dhawan. The Mumbai batsman scored a 60-ball 79.  He clobbered seven boundaries and three sixes in his innings. (Also catch the live cricket score updates of India vs South Africa here.)

3) Shikhar Dhawan’s century: The left-handed opener’s position in the Indian side came under heavy criticism following a string of poor scores leading into the World Cup. In the last warm-up match against Afghanistan, he scored a half-century. In the first group match too he scored a fifty in the high-pressure encounter against Pakistan. Catch the Live Cricket Score and Ball by Ball Commentary of India vs South Africa here)

However, against South Africa at the MCG, he raised his game. He kept his extravagant shots under check to reach his seventh One-Day International (ODI) century. There were quite a few nervous moments from 99 to 100, where it seemed that he wasn’t in the game; he was eager to reach the three-figure mark. This is his second consecutive 100 against South Africa in as many matches at a 50-over ICC event. By the time he was dismissed, he had recorded his highest ODI score and the highest score by any batsman against South Africa in a World Cup. His 146-ball 137 included 16 boundaries and two sixes.

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