New Delhi: After a shocking loss against Sri Lanka, Virat Kohli's men rose to the occasion in a do-or-die match against South Africa in Match 11 of ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Despite being the World No. 1 team in one-day internationals, AB de Villiers & Co once again failed to hold their nerves in a knock-out game and were thrashed by eight wickets.
Batting first, South Africa never looked in control of the game after a slow start from Hashim Amla (35 from 69 balls) and Quinton de Kock (53 from 72 balls). The 76-run opening stand came in 17. 3 overs which put pressure on the batsmen to follow. Proteas managed to put just 191 runs on the board, after a series of goof-ups.
In reply, after losing Rohit Sharma (12) in the sixth over of the innings, Shikhar Dhawan (78) and skipper Virat Kohli (76*) added a match-winning 128-run stand for the second wicket.
Indian cricket fraternity was full of praise for the remarkable victory. Here are some of the reactions:
Virender Sehwag: What a great victory for India. Solid performance. Good luck for the semi finals and finals. #INDvSA #CT17
What a great victory for India. Solid performance. Good luck for the semi finals and finals.#INDvSA #CT17
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 11, 2017
VVS Laxman: Congrats Team India on a comprehensive win Good luck for the semis #CT17
Congrats Team India on a comprehensive win Good luck for the semis #CT17
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 11, 2017
Ravi Shastri: Great stuff guys. That's called rising to the occasion as a team. Way to go. #CT17 #INDvSA @BCCI
Great stuff guys. That's called rising to the occasion as a team. Way to go. #CT17 #INDvSA @BCCI pic.twitter.com/aE0zUGANJj
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) June 11, 2017
Mohammad Kaif: Congratulations India on a great victory. Good team selection and a clinical performance. #INDvSA #CT17
Congratulations India on a great victory. Good team selection and a clinical performance.#INDvSA #CT17
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 11, 2017
After the win, India will now take on Bangladesh in the second semi-final to be played on June 15.
