ODI World Cup 2023: India vs South Africa, Match 37 - Who Said What?

India and South Africa locked horns against each other in a top-of-the-table clash at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, November 05, for match No. 37 of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. It turned out to be a Super Sunday for the Indian fans, as they were given a treat on Virat Kohli's 35th birthday. The run-machine not only scored a hundred, but he also equalled the record for most hundreds in ODI cricket, being at par with Sachin Tendulkar's 49. His ton helped India win the game in a thumping fashion, which made the day more special.

Also Check: List of Virat Kohli international & IPL centuries

Speaking of the match further, India won the toss and chose to bat first on a tricky surface at the Eden Gardens. However, skipper Rohit Sharma gave India an excellent start, which was converted into a big one by the likes of Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. India posted an above-par total on the board, as South Africa needed 327 runs to win and go on top of the table.

However, the Temba Bavuma-led side got the start they would not have imagined in the wildest of their dreams. Mohammed Siraj drew the first blood by getting Quinton de Kock, the highest run-scorer of the tournament, out early. Then on, the Indian bowling unit wreaked havoc in the middle to bundle out the Proteas for just 83. This gave the Men in Blue a victory by 243 runs, as they go undefeated in the World Cup so far with their eighth successive outing.

Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

Talking points

Virat Kohli gives fans a treat on his own birthday:

After an electrifying start, India lost both their openers in a short span of time, as Virat Kohli took the onus upon himself to deliver the goods on his 35th. King Kohli, as he is fondly called, notched up yet another ton to reach the milestone of 49 centuries in the format. He remained unbeaten on 101 off 121 balls to make end his sensational knock on a high. His partnership with Shreyas Iyer (77 off 87 balls) was crucial for the Men in Blue to post a daunting total on the board.

Indian pacers go all-in:

While the batters did their job, it was time for the bowling unit to deliver the goods, and they did exactly the same. The pacers took early wickets, and spinners also joined the party soon. Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers, as he became just the second Indian spinner to take a five-for in World Cups. Jadeja (5/33), Kuldeep Yadav (2/7), and Mohammed Shami (2/18) were the most successful bowlers, as Mohammed Siraj also took a wicket. An all-round show from Rohit Sharma's bowlers helped India bowl South Africa out for just 83.

Who said what?

Rohit Sharma, Winning Skipper: If we look at how we played in the last three games, we played better in terms of adapting to the situation. We were put under pressure against England. In the last game as well, we lost a wicket in the first over but got to a good score and seamers came to the party. Today was not an easy pitch, you needed someone like Kohli, who batted to the situation. Not to forget Shreyas. It's important to let guys have freedom in the middle and what the team expects from them. You know it can't always be done but when it does it looks good and that's what happened with Shami. Same with Iyer, wasn't getting the runs but he's showed in the last two games the kind of class he has. Going hard in the first ten isn't something we've discussed. That's how Gill and I have batted together. We let our instincts take over. If the wicket is good, we keep going and things fall in place. Jadeja has been really good. Big matchwinner. He keeps doing the job, goes under the radar but today is a classic case of what he does - score late runs and take wickets. Not to get ahead of ourselves is something we are constantly talking about. When we turn up, we want to play to our potential.

Temba Bavuma, SA captain: We know the challenge, know the narrative around us while chasing. Didn't do it any justice today. When we talk about it as a batting group, gotta be honest. The first ten overs with the ball made it a challenge. We did do quite well after that. Biggest challenge was taking wickets and India built big stands. The conditions are the biggest learning. Wicket played as we suspected it to play - expected it to deteriorate but we didn't adapt well. It will be up to us to adapt our skills accordingly.

Virat Kohli, Player Of The Match: It was a big game. Probably playing the toughest team in the tournament so far, there was motivation for doing well. People made it a bit more special on my birthday. I had a sense of it being something more. When the openers start in that fashion, you'd think it was a belter. Conditions change with the old ball. Message from the management was for me to bat deep, I was happy from that perspective. We knew we were above par when around 315. I enjoy playing cricket again which is more important now and that I'm able to contribute for the team all over again. Tendulkar's message is quite special. It's all too much to take in for now. It's a huge honour to equal my hero's record. He's perfection with the bat. It's an emotional moment. I know the days I come from, I know the days I have watched him on TV. To receive appreciation from him means a lot to me