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India vs South Africa, World Cup 2019: Andile Phehlukwayo removes Virat Kohli, India on back foot
India in trouble as opener Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli departed early in the chase. The South African bowlers are hitting the right lengths to shift back the pressure on Indian batters
Chasing the below-par total of 228 runs, India didn’t find the best of the starts with the bat as South African seamers are making it really tough for them. First, the departure of Shikhar Dhawan in the sixth over and now the big wicket of captain Virat Kohli has put Men in Blue on the back foot in their opening game of ICC World Cup 2019 at Rose Bowl.
Although Protea skipper handed the ball to Imran Tahir to start the proceedings with, it was the seam bowlers who followed with some top-class bowling. The ever-dangerous Kagiso Rabada straightaway forced Indian batters to stay back in the crease as the pacer bowled excellent lengths at a serious pace. Several balls which knicked the bat, luckily, dropped in no man’s land, helping India survive a few very good balls. However, the luck finally turned towards South Africa as Rabada made Dhawan knick one behind the stumps. Quinton de Kock made no mistake and grabbed an easy catch to reduce Kohli’s men to 13/1 in 5.1 overs.
Afterward, the much-talked-about contest between Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada had fans on their toes. The seamer gave Indian captain some tough time at the wicket, however, the modern-day cricket great made sure to not let him make any damage. Though it was that rare day for Kohli where he failed to find early boundaries. The things were about to settle with Rabada going off the attack, though all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo now started to make rounds with the ball.
The right-arm medium pacer bowled exceptionally well, giving nothing away and hence building the pressure. Amid this, Virat Kohli edged one to the keeper, leaving everyone in shatters. Kohli’s dismissal has now put the pressure back on India, however, with likes of Rohit Sharma still at the crease, there could soon be a turnaround.
