Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers as India restricted South Africa to 227 for 9 in their opening match of the World Cup in Southampton on Wednesday.

Chahal returned figures of four for 51 to rip the heart out of the South African batting line-up, to the delight of a large contingent of Indian fans.

Chris Morris, batting at number eight, provided late resistance with his fighting 42 during an eighth-wicket partnership of 66 with Kagiso Rabada, who made an unbeaten 31 -- his highest one-day international total.

Paceman Jasprit Bumrah did the early damage, dismissing both openers to put South Africa, who desperately need a win after defeats in their opening two games, in deep trouble.

Chahal bowled Rassie van der Dussen for 22 with the first ball of his second over to end a 54-run third-wicket partnership.

He then bowled skipper Du Plessis for 38 later in the same over.

Spin partner Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with the wicket of JP Duminy, trapping the batsman lbw for three as South Africa slipped to 89-5.

David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo then put on 46 runs to slow India's charge and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

But Chahal once again made the breakthrough, dismissing both batsmen. Miller was caught and bowled for 31 while Phehlukwayo was stumped on 34.

Earlier, Bumrah, the world's top-ranked one-day international bowler, had the ball darting around on a cloudy morning in Southampton as he sent back Hashim Amla for six.

Amla, who missed South Africa's previous match against Bangladesh, defended a delivery with extra bounce from Bumrah but got an outside edge and was caught at second slip by Rohit Sharma.

Bumrah then struck again in his next over, with Quinton de Kock, who made 10, edging to skipper Virat Kohli at third slip, meaning South Africa were two down for 24.

But some counter-attacking batting late in the innings from Morris, who hit a boundary and two sixes during his 34-ball knock, gave the South Africans something to bowl at.

South Africa have been hit by a spate of injuries, with pace spearhead Dale Steyn making an early exit from the tournament without playing a game.

India, among the favourites, are playing their first game in the round-robin event, which concludes on July 14 in London.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar

Rohit Sharma hit an unbeaten century as India made a comfortable start to their World Cup campaign with a six-wicket win over South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday that dealt a fresh blow to the Proteas' tournament hopes.

Chasing a modest 228, India cruised to victory on the back of Sharma's 122 not out as they won with 15 balls to spare and live up to their favourites tag in the showpiece event.

For South Africa, a third straight defeat in as many matches this World Cup left their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals on a knife edge.

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal laid the platform for victory as India restricted an injury-hit South Africa to 227 for nine in 50 overs.

Chahal returned figures of 4-51 after Bumrah did the early damage by dismissing both South Africa openers.

Sharma, who survived a dropped catch on one by South Africa captain Faf du Plessis at second slip then anchored India's chase.

South Africa quick Kagiso Rabada struck early with the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan for eight but his team was short on runs to put pressure on the opposition batting.

Wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock came up with a stunning catch behind the stumps to send back India skipper Virat Kohli for 18 off Andile Phehlukwayo -- the first time in three World Cups the star batsman had not started the tournament with a hundred.

Sharma kept the chase on course, building partnerships that included an 85-run third-wicket stand with KL Rahul, who made 26.

The opener's well-judged mix of caution and aggression saw him reach his 23rd one-day century with a single off Tabraiz Shamsi, with Sharma hitting 13 fours and two sixes in total.

Sharma survived another reprieve on 107 after David Miller dropped a high but routine chance at cover to sum up South Africa's sorry performance so far before Chris Morris held a consolation caught and bowled chance, despite treading on the stumps at his end, to dismiss MS Dhoni (34).

Earlier, Bumrah, the world's top-ranked ODI bowler, had the ball darting around on a cloudy morning, openers Hashim Amla (six) and de Kock (10) both falling to slip catches off his bowling.

Chahal soon took charge as he bowled Rassie van der Dussen for 22 with the first ball of his second over to end a 54-run third-wicket partnership.

He then bowled skipper Du Plessis for 38 later in the same over.

Morris, batting at No 8, provided late spark with his fighting 42 during an eighth-wicket partnership of 66 with Rabada, who made an unbeaten 31 -- his highest ODI score.

South Africa have been hit by a spate of injuries, with pace spearhead Dale Steyn making an early exit from the tournament without playing a game.

India next play Australia at the Oval on Sunday while South Africa take on West Indies on Monday.

India captain Virat Kohli praised paceman Jasprit Bumrah for leading an impressive bowling unit in his team's opening win in the World Cup against South Africa on Wednesday.

Bumrah, the world's top-ranked one-day international bowler, struck early to remove the South African openers including Hashim Amla for six, in India's six-wicket win in Southampton. 

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the Indian bowlers, with figures of 4-51 that came after Bumrah's early assault on a cloudy morning.

Kohli said the 25-year-old Bumrah would be a "massive factor" for his team at the 50-over showpiece event.

"The way he's bowling right now, it's so good to see because you see batsmen literally clueless against him and he's rushing people," said Kohli of his pace ace.

"To be honest, I haven't seen Hashim get out like that in one-day cricket... I think it's a great thing and it's a testimony to his hard work.

"He understands this is his time and he's making the most of it so hats off, he's brilliant. He's going to be a massive factor for us here."

Bumrah had the white ball darting around in Southampton as he got Amla to edge a rising delivery to Rohit Sharma at second slip.

Bumrah then struck again in his next over, with Quinton de Kock, who made 10, edging to Kohli at third slip, meaning South Africa were two down for 24.

"Well, one thing you know with facing Jasprit is you have to play good cricketing shots against him and you have to back your technique against him," said Kohli.

"Because if you are hesitant a little bit, he senses that and he's all over you."

Chahal soon took over with his leg spin to strike twice in an over including the big wicket of South African captain Faf du Plessis for 38.

Chahal wrecked the South African middle order with good support from spin partner Kuldeep Yadav, who chipped in with 1-46.

"I think Kuldeep bowled really well, he controlled the game from one end and I think Chahal was outstanding," said Kohli of the spin twins.

"Even with a little bit of turn and help from the pitch, what he was able to bring out of the wicket was truly brilliant to see. He has mental belief in his strength and full credit goes to him."

India next play Australia at the Oval on Sunday.

Heading into their opening match at the 2019 ICC World Cup against South Africa on Wednesday, all eyes will be on India and how they begin their campaign. While most in the cricketing world have tagged Virat Kohli and his side as joint favourites alongside hosts England, there could be a few latent weaknesses in this Indian side, mainly due to their selection and team composition.

While the most obvious perceived weakness in the Indian set up has been the number 4 slot since the last couple of years, with about half a dozen different players tried without anyone successfully nailing down that position. Even a day before their first World Cup match, there is still doubt over who might play that position between KL Rahul and Vijay Shankar.

KL Rahul hit an excellent century from number four for India today, helping his team recover from 102/4 to eventually post a score of 359/7.

Should he bat there during #CWC19? @sanjaymanjrekar had his say with @ZAbbasOfficial. pic.twitter.com/PYuU1kWYCX

�Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 28, 2019

However, that shouldn’t be a major concern for the Indians thanks to Rahul finding some form with a century in the warm-up game against Bangladesh. Also, the strength of the Indian top three tends to ensure the rest of the middle-order is almost never left completely exposed.

The more gripping concern for the Indian team could be their limited options in the fast bowling department. The selection committee decided to go for only three frontline pacers in their squad of 15, deciding to prove an equivalent number of spinners to complete their bowling unit. Amongst the three fast bowlers, only either of Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Mohammed Shami is expected to feature in the playing XI against the Proteas alongside Jasprit Bumrah in order to accommodate for the two wrist spinners.

Pace and spin in tandem in the nets #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/UUKTPwvV7H

�BCCI (@BCCI) June 1, 2019

This combination has been brilliant in the Indian sub-continent; but could backfire on the seam and swing friendly conditions of England. Every other team barring Afghanistan have opted to play with only one frontline spinner, and it has been a World Cup dominated by the fast bowlers thus far except for Mohammad Nabi’s splendid spell against Sri Lanka. Apart from Nabi’s four-wicket haul, the top seven bowling performances thus far in the tournament have been by pace bowlers, with the likes of Oshane Thomas, Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc making the most of the extra bounce.

Also, playing with the two frontline spinners puts pressure on India’s seam bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya who tends to be expensive at times, with an economy rate of 5.54 in ODIs. The seamer also might not be the ideal candidate in England due to him neither being a hit-the-deck baller, nor a swing specialist. Bowling at his pace on the surfaces of the World Cup where the ball tends to come onto the bat pretty well, Pandya could prove expensive.

everyone talking about KL rahul at 4 but India will be stuck with 5 bowlers only if Jadhav cannot bowl. Then they have to play jaddu or shankar at 6. 5 bowlers only is a pretty big risk if you are defending.

�Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) May 29, 2019

India’s lack of options in the all-rounders department could also be a deterrent at the World Cup if one of their pacers or spinners endures a bad day. If either Vijay Shankar or Kedhar Jadhav don’t play, the team would be confined to playing with only five bowlers, without any back-up options. Compare that to England or Australia who have at least six or seven bowling options in their ranks.

Feature photo courtesy: AFP Photo/ Glyn Kirk

Indian skipper Virat Kohli feels that his side have learnt their lessons from the 2017 Champions Trophy final against Pakistan where they lost by 180 runs. Speaking at team India’s press conference ahead of their opening game against South Africa, Kohli spoke about how his side have prepared since that loss.

“From the Champions Trophy, we learnt how to play in a final. In the final, the better team won. We have plugged the gaps since then. We brought in wrist spinners to take wickets in the middle overs and have built a stronger side since then.

The 30-year-old also said that he is confident of his side’s chances to winning the group stage games. “There has been a lot to learn about composure in this first week. The teams that are more composed have a greater chance of winning games and handling pressure.

“We need to bring our experience into play to make better decisions once our campaign starts,�said Kohli. 

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu Sarkar

India captain Virat Kohli is prepared to vary his World Cup attack by adopting a 'horses for courses' strategy that seeks to make the most of the different conditions on offer during the one-day tournament in England and Wales.

India, the world's number-two ranked team and one of the favourites alongside hosts England and Australia, launch their challenge against an injury-hit South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday, nearly a week after the tournament started.

"Well, firstly, we are very happy that finally we are going to start playing. It's been a while since we have been here," Kohli told reporters at Southampton on Tuesday.

"I think it is a bit of an advantage (starting late), I have to say, in terms of understanding how the games have gone, what the conditions have to offer, what the overcast conditions bring into play when the sun is out," the star batsman added,

South Africa will be without star fast bowler Dale Steyn, whose World Cup ended without him bowling a ball after he was ruled out with a shoulder injury, while fellow paceman Lungi Ngidi has yet to recover from a hamstring problem.

By contrast, India's quicks are fit and ready to fire, having enjoyed previous success in English conditions.

Led by Jasprit Bumrah, the world's number one ODI bowler, the team's pace attack includes Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya.

Three specialist spinners in Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja lend variety to the bowling attack.

- 'Flexibility' -

Kohli, in his his first 50-over World Cup as captain, believes rotating his bowling options gives India, the 1983 and 2011 World Cup winners, their best chance of success.

"The flexibility would matter in the bowling set-up is how we foresee things. The batting line-up will have to be consistent," said Kohli, whose side called off their final pre-match net session because of rain at Hampshire's headquarters ground.

"I think with match-ups in terms of playing against, if there are more left-handers then the bowling combination can alter a little bit.

"So that sort of message has been given within the team and the guys have accepted it. They understand that they will have to play certain roles at different stages in the tournament."

This World Cup has witnessed contrasting results so far with scores going as high as Pakistan's 348-8 in their win over England on Monday and the same side crashing to 105 all out in an opening defeat by the West Indies.

Kohli said an ability to adapt with both bat and ball would be important, adding that the World Cup may not be the run-fest forecast by many pundits.

"We can't say just because a few games have been high-scoring that we need to go out and get 350," said Kohli.

"We know with our bowling attack any score is defendable with the kind of skill-set that we have and that is the kind of belief we have in our side."

Meanwhile Kohli insisted that a Proteas pace led by Kagiso Rabada remained a potent force, even without Steyn sidelined from the World Cup. 

"Look whether Ngidi plays, or Steyn plays or not, Rabada is always going to be a world-class bowler and a threat to any side he plays against," he said.

Feature Image Courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar

Andile Phehlukwayo said South Africa's dismal start to the World Cup does not have to be fatal to their hopes of winning the tournament for the first time.

Faf du Plessis's side crashed to their second successive defeat on Sunday as Bangladesh won by 21 runs at the Oval. That setback came hot on the heels of their 104-run thrashing by England, leaving South Africa with no margin for error in the 10-team competition.

Facing title contenders India at Southampton on Wednesday is hardly what South Africa would have preferred as they fight to stay in contention for a semi-final berth.

But all-rounder Phehlukwayo is adamant the Proteas can get back on track as long as they do not dwell on their misfortune. "There have been some bad days in my career. I've learned, and the team has learned, that it is not the end of the world," Phehlukwayo told reporters.

"We can always bounce back. We are a team that bounces back from situations and we will definitely do it again. We haven't had a good start but this is a big tournament and anyone can beat anyone on any given day."

The injury-hit South Africans have had to do without veteran pace bowler Dale Steyn in both matches due to a shoulder problem, while star batsman Hashim Amla missed the Bangladesh match following a head injury.

Adding to their problems, Lungi Ngidi was ruled out for up to 10 days with a hamstring strain sustained against Bangladesh. Amla could return against India, but Phehlukwayo says it is South Africa's failure to execute their game-plan that has been the biggest problem.

"If you are smart and clinical and you execute, you'll win. We've been missing that but it's coming," he said. "The coach has mentioned winning small battles, breaking partnerships and taking wickets. It's not far away."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Ian Kington