Fans expressed their joy as India secured their eighth consecutive victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 by defeating South Africa by 243 runs.
The highlights of the day were Virat’s 49th ODI century, which equals a record, and Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul. This victory at Eden Gardens marked India’s eighth successive win in the ongoing tournament.
One fan told ANI after the match, “It didn’t feel like a World Cup match. It was more like a match with a club team… We’ve never seen India play like this. We had a lot of fun.”
Another fan, who had come from Chennai, expressed their satisfaction at witnessing Virat’s 49th century and considered the win convincing. They said, “We traveled all the way from Chennai hoping to see Kohli score his 49th century and equal Sachin’s record. We were not disappointed… It’s a convincing win.”
Another fan stated that the Indian team shows no signs of stopping, and Virat’s century was a gift to the entire country. They said, “The Indian Team is not going to stop; they are winning back-to-back… Our coach, batsmen, and bowlers are continuously working hard… Virat Kohli gave a gift to the entire country.”
Fans celebrated the Men in Blue’s victory by blowing conches and showing their support for the country.
West Bengal governor Ananda Bose described the win as a proud moment for India, cricket, and sports. He emphasized India’s greatness and strength, which the world recognizes.
In the match, India chose to bat first and posted a total of 326/5 in their 50 overs. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a fast start, and Virat continued the innings with Shreyas Iyer, who played a significant role. India reached the 300-run mark with quickfire contributions from Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.
In the chase of 327, South Africa never posed a threat, thanks to a bowling masterclass from Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Shami, which bundled out South Africa for just 83 runs.
Virat was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his century.
