Indian bowling lineup has been firing on all cylinders in the ongoing ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. No team has scored in excess of 300 while batting first whereas every team has been bowled out for a low score in the run chase. Mohammed Shami who made his way into the playing XI after Hardik Pandya got injured is one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. The clash against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata was expected to be a litmus test for them but Indian bowlers bowled them out for 83, riding on Ravindra Jadeja’s record fifer.
After India’s resounding 243-run win over Temba Bavuma-led side, Shami was complimented by cricketer-turned-commentator Mohammad Kaif as he said, “You guys are defeating everyone, there's no one left.”
Shami who took wickets of Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram in the four overs he bowled at Eden Gardens, Kolkata replied, “Har bar 400 par karne walo ka haal dekho (just look at the condition of the team who used to score 400 every time)”.
Shami has taken 16 wickets from just four games he has played including one fifer and two four-fers. He is fourth on the list of highest wicket-takers of the tournament behind Adam Zampa (19), Dilshan Madushanka (18) and Marco Jansen (17).
Before getting bowled out for 83, South Africa's lowest score at World Cups in a completed innings was 149 against Australia in the 2007 edition of the World Cup. Also, their biggest defeat by runs came against India in the 2015 World Cup. South Africa lost to India by 130 runs in Melbourne.
India continued their unbeaten run in the tournament. With eight wins from eight games, they will remain at the top of the table irrespective of the results of other matches as they have a net run rate (NRR) of +2.456.
India will now take on the Netherlands at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on November 12. On the other hand, South Africa will play their last league match against Afghanistan at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on November 10.
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