The Men in Blue were the last to play their first game in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Locking horns with a depleted and under-pressure Faf du Plessis-led South African side, Virat Kohli and Co. trounced the opposition by 6 wickets at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday.
Following the toss, it was all merry for the Men in Blue. The World No. 2 ODI side restricted the Proteas for a moderate 227 for 9 in 50 overs – riding on Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4 for 51 and Jasprit Bumrah’s twin strikes.
In reply, Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 122, along with support from KL Rahul and MS Dhoni, led India’s charge as they closed the chase with 15 balls to spare.
๐ช carves Andile Phehlukwayo away to the boundary to give a six-wicket win over South Africa in Southampton
— ICC (@ICC)
While Hardik smashed the winning runs, he was cheered by former Miss Universe and Bollywood diva Sushmita Sen.
“๐๐๐๐๐Hardik Pandya!!!! We finish in style๐๐โค๏ธ๐ค๐ฎ๐ณ almost there!!! Yessssssss!!!!,” the 43-year-old model turned actress wrote on her Twitter handle.
๐๐๐๐๐Hardik Pandya!!!! We finish in style๐๐โค๏ธ๐ค๐ฎ๐ณ almost there!!! Yessssssss!!!!
— sushmita sen (@thesushmitasen)
Sushmita also congratulated Team India on their emphatic win.
“INDIA it is!!!!๐๐๐๐๐ปโค๏ธ๐ฎ๐ณ what a start!!!!๐๐๐ค Congratulations!!! South Africa, you guys got spirit!!!๐๐ #WC2019 #IndVsSA #Victory #INDIA โค๏ธ๐ฎ๐ณ๐๐ป๐”
INDIA it is!!!!๐๐๐๐๐ปโค๏ธ๐ฎ๐ณ what a start!!!!๐๐๐ค Congratulations!!! South Africa, you guys got spirit!!!๐๐๐ค โค๏ธ๐ฎ๐ณ๐๐ป๐
— sushmita sen (@thesushmitasen)
Well, India will now take on the defending champions Australia in their second game of the tournament on June 9 at The Oval.
