... and losers
NO SUBSTANCE: SOUTH AFRICA LOSE THEIR HEADS WITH THREE RUN-OUTS
The Proteas yesterday limply departed from the Champions Trophy tournament after a thorough hiding by India, their second successive defeat.
We normally don’t bat that way, says dejected AB.
London
India swept into the Champions Trophy semifinals and eliminated woeful South Africa as Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli inspired the holders’ eight-wicket victory yesterday.
Having dismissed South Africa for 191, two-time champions India cruised home with 12 overs to spare at The Oval.
In-form opener Dhawan was the key figure with 78 from 83 balls, including 12 fours, while captain Kohli weighed in with a typically elegant 76.
India join England and Bang- ladesh in the semifinals, with the remaining place in the last four going to the winner of today’s Group B meeting between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
South Africa could have no complaints as they limply departed the tournament after a second successive defeat.
Quinton de Kock’s 53 was the only score of any substance from the spineless South Africans, who had three men run out in a wretched performance.
AB De Villiers was especially culpable as he threw away his wicket for the third time in a poor tournament for the captain. In three outings to the crease he scored only 20 runs.
“We normally don’t bat that way. We never got going. It’s very sad obviously,” said De Villiers.
“It’s not an ideal way to finish. Credit to them in those first 15-20 overs, they put the pressure on us,” De Villiers said.
“We were hoping to play better but we came unstuck against a better team.”
Kohli’s men will likely face Group A runners-up Bangladesh in Birmingham on Thursday as they bid to make the final for the fourth time.
“This is probably our best game so far. We wanted to step up the intensity,” Kohli said.
“When the opportunity comes your way, you have to grab it.
“It was a good toss to win. The fielders backed our bowlers.”
Kohli saluted Dhawan’s composed knock and pin-pointed the needless run-out of South Africa captain AB De Villiers as another crucial moment.
“It’s always good to get him out early, he can hurt you,” Kohli said of De Villiers.
“It was a decent wicket to bat on. It was important for someone to bat until the end. Shikhar’s intent was outstanding.”
With such a small target, India were never in danger of falling behind the run rate and Dhawan kept them on cruise control with some lusty blows off Imran Tahir.
Dhawan has been in fine form of late and he brought up his 29th ODI half century, and third in three matches, with a majestic four back down the ground.
As the partnership between Dhawan and Kohli went past 100, it was clear there would be no late fightback from South Africa.
Kohli hardly had to break sweat as he reached his 68th ODI fifty.
By the time Dhawan was dismissed by Tahir, his side had reached 151 and the large Indian following in the capacity crowd were in a party mood. –