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ICC World Cup: Laxman, Sehwag, Rohit React to India’s Opening Win

India won the match in 47.3 overs and that too in an emphatic fashion by six wickets.

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World Cup
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India played their first game on the seventh day of the ICC 2019 World Cup and it was a walk in the park for Virat Kohli and his men against South Africa. Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat first. This decision came as a surprise to many.

Against a formidable Indian bowling line-up, the opposition batsmen looked weak and fragile. On his World Cup debut, Jasprit Bumrah gave India initial breakthroughs, but this match will be a memorable one for Yuzvendra Chahal who also made his World Cup debut along with the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul.

He picked up 4 for 51 as India restricted South Africa to a paltry 227/9.

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Set to chase 228 for victory, Rohit Sharma struck his 23rd ODI century to guide India to an easy win. He was helped in the process with contributions from KL Rahul (26), MS Dhoni (34). Hardik Pandya scored 15 from 7 balls at the end and also hit the winning runs.

India thus won the match in 47.3 overs and that too in an emphatic fashion by six wickets.

From Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma to various cricket experts, here’s what everyone said about India’s opening win.

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Virat Kohli

“The wait was very long and then you get a game like this where it was challenging throughout. From our point of view it was important to start on the right note. We might not have had the run rate, but if you look at how the game went and how the pitch behaved, it was challenging.”

Rohit Sharma

“Different experience from India. There was something in it for the bowlers throughout the game, so you had to play out the overs initially and see what the ball was doing. Couldn't play my natural game. You have to take your time. Certain shots that I like playing, I had to cut out and play close to the body, and follow the basics properly - try and leave as many balls as possible on a pitch that is doing a bit.”

Virender Sehwag

“Shaabash Rohit ! Bumrah, Chahal creating pressure throughout . Fantastic win to start the World Cup for Team India. #INDvSA”.

VVS Laxman

“A wonderful, mature innings from Rohit Sharma. Great assessment of the situation and seeing India through to the win in the end, a hallmark of top players @ImRo45 . A well begun World Cup campaign for Team India.”

Aakash Chopra

“And that’s how you start the campaign. Bumrah with the new ball, Chahal in the middle...Rohit and Dhoni with the bat. Well done, India.”

Harsha Bhogle

“Wonderful result for India. Many boxes ticked. Bumrah was magnificent as was Chahal and India will like the solidity from Rahul and Dhoni. And Rohit Sharma was unhurried, his slowest odi century but one that was invaluable.”

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