South Africa came prepared and stunned India and its fans in the first Super 8 clash of Group 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Proteas did not have an ideal start having lost three early wickets before scripting a comeback to remember for ages. South Africa were down to 20/3 when David Miller walked out to bat.
Miller unleashed his best performance of the World Cup so far and formed a reliable partnership with Dewald Brevis. The duo combined for a 97 run partnership and pushed South Africa to a winning total in Ahmedabad. Tristan Stubbs also played a huge role in taking the Proteas to a winning position.
The South African bowlers did not show any mercy on the Indian batter and cleaned them up one after one. India’s batting woes were exposed and the onus is now on Gautam and Gambhir and co to go back to the drawing board and replan everything. It is undoubtedly one of the most ‘humiliating’ defeats for the defending champions till date.
How can India still qualify for the semi-finals?
India were the favourites to win Group 1 of the Super 8, but it looks tough as things stand at the moment. South Africa are now in pole position to qualify for the semi-final as the table toppers of Group1. However, India can still qualify, but the onus is now on them to prove their mettle.
The Men in Blue will have to defeat Zimbabwe and the West Indies in their remaining fixtures and that too with a very good margin because now Net Run Rate (NRR) will come into play. India’s huge loss to South Africa has damaged their NRR and only huge margin wins can revive their semi-final credentials. It remains to be seen if India will bounce back and silence their critics or will they walk out of another home World Cup without a trophy.
