CWC 2023, Match 37, India VS South Africa Played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India on 5th November 2023 
India 326/5 (Virat Kohli 101, Shreyas Iyer 77, Rohit Sharma 40, Ravindra Jadeja 29, Shubman Gill 23, Keshav Maharaj 1/30, Kagiso Rabada 1/48, Lungi Ngidi 1/63, Tabraiz Shamsi 1/72, Marco Jansen 1/90) 
South Africa 83 All Out in 27.1 Overs (Marco Jansen 14, Rassie van der Dussen 13, Temba Bavuma 11, David Miller 11, Ravindra Jadeja 5/33, Mohammad Sami 2/18, Kuldeep Yadab 2/7) 
India Won by 243 Runs
Player of Match: Virat Kohli (101 Runs) 

Incredible India kept its winning momentum going with a thumping 243 runs win against one of the top dog South Africa surprising many pundits of cricket. South Africa registering three high scoring innings of CWC 2023 succumbed to a paltry 83 all out responding to Indian score of 326/5 at Iconic Eden Gardens Kolkata. Thousands of adoring fans enjoyed Indian Hero Virat Kohli touching one of many records of Indian Cricket God Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar scoring 49th ODI century on his 35th Birthday. 

India winning 8th consecutive CWC 2023 matches of 8 is now well clear on the top of the points table. South Africa losing 2 in 9 Matches now ranks 2nd. India remains the only team unbeaten so far and looks great for a third win of the world cup. Many assembling at Eden on the day thought of mouth-watering contest of the two top dogs of the tournament. But indomitable India first firing in all cylinders made it a cake walk for India.  The stage was set by another flamboyant 40 in 24 balls by rollicking Rohit Sharma. The adoring fans were cheering for their cult hero Virat scoring yet another majestic century (101) his 49th equaling the milestone of Indian Great Tendulkar, Virat may score 50th hundred in this CWC. This feat will remain unconquered for few years can assure you. 

I was travelling from Brisbane Australia to Bangladesh. In our flight to Singapore about 75% mates were Indian travelling to various Indian cities Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. At Singapore airport we enjoyed Indian batting at Airport Lounge. Virat was very focused from his very first ball. He narrowly missed the feet at Mumbai in the previous match in the presence of Indian maestro Sachin. His 3rd wicket partnership with another Indian genius in the making Shreyas Iyer (77) producing 134 fluent runs set the solid foundation for a challenging Indian score of 326/5 on a not too difficult to bat wicket. Protean bowlers huffed and puffed but managed to keep Indian score within touchable limits.

But brilliant all-round attacks crashed the free scoring protean to paltry 83 all out in 27.1 overs. Protean batsmen had no clue in dealing with spins of Ravindra Jadeja (5/33), Kuldeep Yadab (2/7) and pace of hot Sami (2/18). Only three batsmen Marco Jansen (14), Rassie van der Dussen (13) and David Miller (11) could reach double figure. The huge loss of South Africa may not spoil their position among top four but exposed their vulnerability in chasing the target. India looks well prepared for their third World cup. 

BDST: 0740 HRS, NOV 06, 2023 
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