Rohit Sharma curbed his natural flair for greater good as his gritty hundred complemented a superb bowling effort in India’s resounding six-wicket victory over a hapless South Africa in their World Cup opener in Southampton on Wednesday.
It was an uncharacteristic 23rd ODI hundred for the Indian vice-captain (122 no off 144 balls) in a successful chase of 228 in conditions that were not exactly conducive for free-flowing strokeplay.
It might have taken India 47.3 overs to complete the chase but not for once were they in any sort of trouble as the Men in Blue began their campaign on a promising note while South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the last four were dented miserably.
Read - ‘Stay with us’: Morris urges fans to back South Africa despite three straight losses at World Cup
Jasprit Bumrah (10-1-35-2) bowled a scary opening spell while spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (10-0-51-4) displayed his guile in the middle overs, making them equal contributors in India’s victory.
For South Africa, everything went wrong from the start as skipper Faf du Plessis first surprised everyone by deciding to bat first and then dropped Rohit in the slips when he had barely got off the mark. Rohit then steered India to victory to pile more misery on the Proteas.
Here’s a look at some interesting stats from yesterday’s game:
Indian bowlers dismissing Hashim Amla most times in ODIs:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) June 5, 2019
3 - Jasprit Bumrah*
3 - Mohit Sharma
3 - Mohammad Shami #INDvSA
South Africa lost three consecutive games for the first time in World Cup history... #INDvSA #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/uXkvb7jGgr
— Suresh Kannan (@Suresh2kannan) June 6, 2019
Rohit Sharma registers India's 26th #CWC century and overall the 168th in CWC history!
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 5, 2019
India now equals the tally of Australia - now the two sides with most individual centuries (26) in CWC!#CWC19 #CWC2019 #INDvSA #SAvIND
Just two overs for Bumrah in his second spell, but a markedly different approach from his opening burst. He primarily attacked the top of the left-handers' off stump, with the occasional short ball, compared to earlier when he was a touch wider and generally shorter. #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/lL1zF8eH4a
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 5, 2019
Rohit Sharma in last 3 International Matches
— ROHITism ™ (@ROHITism_) June 5, 2019
95(92) against Australia
56(89)* against Australia
122(144)* against South Africa(today)
Consistency 🔥🔥#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/SP0QAXFsZT
Best bowling in #CWC debut for India
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 5, 2019
4/32* Yuzvendra Chahal today
4/35 Mohd Shami v Pak 2015
4/56 Debasis Mohanty v Ken 1999#CWC19 #CWC2019 #INDvSA #SAvIND
Rohit Sharma has three 200s in ODIs. His average between two World Cups is 61.12. He has most sixes (130) for any batsman between two WCs. 16 centuries in last four years. Amazing that despite these credentials he is not the best batsman of this era.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 5, 2019
Chahal is the first Indian leg-spinner to take four wickets in a World Cup match since Anil Kumble took 4-31 against Netherlands in 2003. #CWC19 #SAvInd
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 5, 2019
Most limited overs hundreds by an Indian in England:-
— vinay vk 🇮🇳 (@im_vk45_) June 5, 2019
4 - ROHIT SHARMA
3 - Sachin Tendulkar, Shikhar Dhawan
2 - Rahul Dravid#INDvSA #CWC19
Home track bully really ?? pic.twitter.com/mjzr0bw7l2
Highest win percentage in Cricket World Cup matches this decade:
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 5, 2019
83.33 INDIA
80.00 Australia
77.77 New Zealand
64.70 Pakistan
64.70 Sri Lanka
55.55 South Africa
53.84 Bangladesh
46.66 West Indies
41.66 Ireland
40.00 England #CWC19
Rohit Sharma now scored 16 ODI Centuries since 2015 World Cup. He is only second after Kohli. People still questions about his form whenever he slides little. But what he has achieved so far should be celebrated.
— Bobgally (@Krishnan_Masi) June 6, 2019
A brilliant 4-wicket haul to kickstart his #CWC19 campaign #TeamIndia - @yuzi_chahal is our Key Performer after the end of the SA innings #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/b6lJlS6yah
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 5, 2019
Hashim Amla's nemeses in ODIs against India..
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 5, 2019
3 by Mohit Sharma, Mohd Shami and Jasprit Bumrah#CWC19#CWC2019 #INDvSA #SAvIND
(with PTI inputs)