World Cup 2023: With 8/8, Invincible India's Juggernaut Continues

Eight games, eight wins. Top of the table, semis assured and only one league game vs Netherlands to go.

Ever since they got wins over Australia, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the first three games, there was a dominating ring to their campaign and it only got louder with results, rather comprehensive results, that followed.

New Zealand will be the real test, they said. India should be wary of a wounded England, they insisted. Oh, look at South Africa, they can stop India’s juggernaut, they emphasised.

One game at a time, not only did India put any doubts to rest but have also entered invincible territory. Members of support staff and Team India players have been repeatedly asked about going all the way without dropping a game but all have downplayed in a similar tone. “Taking one game at a time and not looking too far ahead” has been the typical response.

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But South Africa, especially with the brand of cricket they played, were looked at as the tough opponents who could well challenge the Men in Blue. The Proteas had dropped just one game in the tournament so far and a destructive batting order did promise a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.

The expectations, however, faced a harsh reality check as India outplayed the Temba Bavuma-led unit to hand them a 243-run defeat, their worst in the format. Right from the toss, nothing quite went South Africa’s way as they first ran into Rohit Sharma, who has been batting in a different zone right from the start of the World Cup. India’s skipper made the bowling of Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi look very ordinary and gave the side another flying start. Something which has now become a routine.

How SA were “behind the 8 ball”

That first blow completely deflated South Africa as they only played catch-up from there on. Yes, there was a period in the middle overs where Keshav Maharaj spun them back into control but another Virat Kohli masterclass, which turned into a record-equalling 49th ODI hundred, took the game way out of their reach.

“We were bowling first, so it wasn’t as much swing as we’ve been used to, but along with that our execution was off, and with that if you’ve got a guy like Rohit Sharma who’s on the other end, if you miss your areas, you’re going to fetch. And we did, so 91 after 10, you’re behind the 8 ball already. And then you’re busy clawing back from there, which we did, I thought we did exceptionally well,” says South Africa head coach Rob Walter at post-match presser.

Walter further added that 320+ on this strip was way above par as it wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on.

“To be fair, just a day that we were out-skilled really. I didn’t feel that was a 320 pitch. They obviously got off to a flyer and we pulled it back nicely. I thought Keshav bowled beautifully today along with KG. And yeah, 320 was too much on that deck and then from a bowling point of view they put us under pressure right from the word go. Couldn’t claw our way back in, and as I said, just got out-skilled on the day,” adds the coach.

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Jadeja steals the show

Once Kohli and Co. pushed the total over 320, it was the bowlers who took centre stage and reiterated why they are the meanest in the business right now. Mohammed Siraj with the new ball, Mohammed Shami later and finally it was Ravindra Jadeja’s turn to hog some limelight after flying under the radar during the World Cup. Even Jadeja’s assessment of pitch and conditions was similar to the opposition’s coach and the all-rounder added that it was much more difficult in the first innings where the ball was keeping low and turning fair bit too.

“I think when they were bowling, it was better for bowling. I think the turn was more and the bounce of the wicket was less. But now, if you ask me personally, the wicket in the afternoon and now – now it was a little easier. I won’t say easy, but it was fine. But in the afternoon, there was turn and it was slow, so batsmen can’t hit. But credit to Virat and the middle-order batsmen who handled their spinners, it was very good,” says Jadeja.

Right from that spell vs Australia in Chennai, Jadeja has been the unsung hero for India in the middle overs as he has been lending a lot of control during that period and allowing Rohit to attack from the other end. For Jadeja, it’s “good” to contribute in all three departments and today’s performance will definitely give him more confidence.

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“It’s good that I am contributing well in the past 3-4 matches, in batting and bowling. I feel happy that in an important tournament, in important matches I am delivering with the bat and ball. It feels good. Important games are coming up – I am more confident about my individual performance,” says Jadeja.

India now take on Netherlands in Bengaluru on November 12 and will then wait for other fixtures to find out who they play in the semis. As far as other teams are concerned, they would hope to not run into this Indian side which looks ready to bulldoze any opposition.