The two run-outs and other turning points in India's win over South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy

Jaideep Marar 09:25 12/06/2017
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  • A dive is not enough for AB de Villiers as MS Dhoni takes off the bails [Getty Images]

    SOUTH AFRICA’S TWO RUN-OUTS

    South Africa were beginning to gain momentum as star batsmen Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers were scoring at almost six an over. But that’s when they overdid the running part and ended up losing two wickets within a space of six balls.

    On both counts, du Plessis was the guilty party, first going ahead with a non-existing single that resulted in the exit of de Villiers. Having tapped Ravindra Jadeja straight to Hardik Pandya at point, du Plessis took off for a run but when the throw came in and MS Dhoni whipped off the bails, de Villiers was short of the crease despite a desperate dive.

    One over later, du Plessis cut a quick-ish Ravichandran Ashwin delivery to the short third man area manned by Jasprit Bumrah but after taking a few steps he was caught in two minds about going for the run.

    Non-striker David Miller had no such doubts as he dashed in. Instead of going ahead with the run, du Plessis turned and dived to regain his crease. But by then Miller was at the same end.

    It was an easy run-out for the Indians as Bumrah threw the ball to the non-striker’s end where Virat Kohli gleefully took off the bails. South Africa never recovered from the double blow and they were bowled out for 191.

    DHAWAN BREAKS SHACKLES

    India began their 192-run chase racing to 23 in 5.3 overs, but the South Africans gained control when Rohit Sharma made an exit playing a rash shot.

    In the next four overs, the Proteas hounded Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli as India could add just three runs in 22 balls. Suddenly, the pressure was back on India but that was when Dhawan decided to break free and he did it in style with two beautifully timed boundaries in the tenth over.

    The first was a firm off drive played in the V that sped past AB de Villiers at mid-off and he followed it up with another cracking shot through a packed off-side field. From thereon, Dhawan was rarely troubled as he took charge and dominated the bowling.

    AMLA FLUFFS A TOUGH CHANCE

    Andile Phehlukwayo was included in place of Wayne Parnell as the South African team management felt he would be more effective against the Indians than the left-arm pacer.

    The 21-year-old did create an impression by troubling Kohli with his pace. The Indian captain had a torrid time facing Phehlukwayo as he failed to connect his off-drives and came agonisingly close to edging the ball to the wicketkeeper a few times.

    The only time South Africa came close to dismissing Kohli was when a thick edge off Phehlukwayo, in the 16th over, flew off to the lone slip fielder Hashim Amla but he failed to latch on to the catch.

    Amla’s low one-handed dive to grab the chance did not yield the desired results. Kohli was then on 21 and India’s score read 65-1. The Indian No.3 made it count with another fighting knock (76*) to guide India through to the semi-finals.

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