Steyn-less South Africa taught a lesson

Dhawan smashes maiden ODI ton as India win Champions Trophy opener.

CARDIFF:

Shikhar Dhawan smashed 114 off 94 balls as India registered a 26-run win over South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy opener in Cardiff yesterday.

The left-hander led a batting feast against a depleted South Africa attack, missing premier fast-bowler Dale Steyn due to a side strain, as India posted 331 for seven after being sent in to bat before dismissing their opposition for 305 in exactly 50 overs.

Dhawan put on 127 for the first wicket with Rohit Sharma (65) and 83 off 77 balls for the second with Virat Kohli (31) as overcast conditions at the toss made way for bright sunshine as the day progressed.



India slipped from 210 for one to 260 for five, but an unbeaten 47 from 29 balls by Ravindra Jadeja steered the World Cup champions past the 300-run mark.

In reply, South Africa were reduced to 31 for two but a superb 124-run partnership between Robin Peterson and captain AB de Villiers gave them a boost.

However, Peterson was run-out as South Africa looked to make a comeback before Jadeja sent back JP Duminy. De Villiers attempted a rash shot and David Miller became another run-out victim as India gained the upper hand.

Ryan McLaren, who remained unbeaten at 71, tried to steer South Africa closer to the total but it proved too tall an order.

Dhawan shines

Earlier, the 27-year-old, who rose to fame in March when he plundered Australia for 187 off 174 balls on his Test debut, appeared to continue in the same vein. He hammered 12 boundaries and a six and reached his maiden One-Day International (ODI) century with two consecutive boundaries off seamer Rory Kleinveldt.

The openers made a slow start, scoring just 15 runs in the first five overs, before the floodgates opened when Sharma drove Lonwabo Tsotsobe over the covers for six.

The first 50 came up in 10 overs, before the pair smashed the next 50 in 39 balls to bring up India’s hundred in the 16th over.

Sharma, who looked in fine touch during his 14th ODI half-century, gifted his wicket in the 22nd over when he pulled Ryan McLaren to Robin Peterson stationed at square-leg.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2013.