Rohit Rides His Luck to Take India Home After Bowlers Restrict SA

The opener slams an unbeaten century; Chahal picks up four; Morris-Rabada’s late charge takes Proteas past the 200-run mark

- K.C. Vijaya Kumar

Splendid batsmanship and oriental spin, the two attributes that influenced India’s cricketing history, combined well at the Hampshire Bowl here on Wednesday.

The fusion, evident through centurion Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 122 and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s four for 51, helped Virat Kohli’s men start their World Cup campaign on a winning note at South Africa’s expense.

Pursuing South Africa’s 227 for nine, India finished at 230 for four off47.3 overs. Meagre targets can be tricky and openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit had to contend with Kagiso Rabada’s hostile overs. The speedster along with Chris Morris briefly had Rohit hopping. But it was Dhawan, who succumbed, as Rabada induced the southpaw to nick one.

The stands that lapsed into a stunned silence, regained their voice on sighting Virat Kohli. The decibel levels soared when Rohit hooked a six offRabada and followed it with two fours.