India showcased their prowess as Cricket World Cup front-runners with a resounding victory over second-placed South Africa, extending their winning streak to eight matches on a historic day for Virat Kohli.

Rohit Sharma’s squad, leading the tournament standings, delivered a commanding performance at Eden Gardens, overpowering the Proteas by a staggering 243-run margin. The South African innings crumbled to a mere 83 runs, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja’s exceptional 5-33 haul, following Kohli’s impressive 49th ODI century that anchored India’s total of 326-5.

India’s Dominant Display at Eden Gardens

Crucial breakthroughs were secured through successful reviews, with Rassie van der Dussen (13) and Heinrich Klaasen (1) adjudged lbw to Mohammed Shami and Jadeja respectively. This left South Africa reeling at 40-5 in the 14th over, with earlier dismissals of Quinton de Kock (1), Temba Bavuma (11), and Aiden Markram (9).

As David Miller (11) and Keshav Maharaj (7) fell victim to Jadeja’s precision, South Africa’s score plummeted to 67-7, ultimately falling short of the three-digit mark in a brutal contest in Kolkata.

South Africa, entering the match with an impressive record of six wins from seven outings (their lone setback being a surprising loss to the Netherlands), were thoroughly outclassed by India’s formidable bowling attack, much like their previous opponents.

Kohli’s Achievement Matches Tendulkar as India Surpasses 300

While the Proteas managed to stifle India’s batsmen for extended periods after Rohit’s departure for a brisk 40 off 24 balls and Shubman Gill’s dismissal for 23 off 24, the pivotal 134-run partnership between Kohli and Shreyas Iyer (77 off 87) for the third wicket was forged from 158 deliveries.

With Rahul’s departure for 8, brilliantly caught by Van der Dussen on the move at deep square leg off Marco Jansen (who conceded 94 runs from 9.4 overs), India found themselves at 249-4 in the 43rd over.

India’s emphatic victory exemplified their supremacy in the tournament, setting a formidable benchmark for their future encounters.