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Match Report:

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Rohit consigns South Africa to another Cup loss

India open Cup campaign with a six-wicket win as the Proteas suffer their third consecutive loss

Opener Rohit Sharma scored a composed unbeaten century as India got their World Cup campaign off to a solid start with a six-wicket victory over a sloppy South African side in Southampton.

After winning the toss and electing to bat at a vibrant Rose Bowl, South Africa posted a below-par 9-227 in their 50 overs as wily wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal returned figures of 4-51 following a superb opening burst from seamer Jasprit Bumrah (2-35).

Image Id: CB3DA6D15EE3427380EF979D7630842A Image Caption: India's spinners did the damage in Southampton // Getty

India were cautious in their reply and the game was in the balance when Virat Kohli (18) was brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock with the score 2-54 in the 16th over.

But Rohit (122no from 144 balls) punished the South African bowlers after getting an early life.

The opener attacked South Africa's leg-spinners Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi as India reached 4-230 from 47.3 overs, condemning the ailing Proteas to a third successive loss to leave their World Cup hopes in disarray.

Image Id: D414D068B3ED4E4382BD3D73C7E26426 Image Caption: India started their Cup campaign with a win // Getty

“It was a small target, but we had to build partnerships as there was always something in it for the bowlers," Rohit said.

"I had to play out the overs to make sure the job got done."

Rohit rode some early luck when he was dropped from a difficult chance by Faf du Plessis off the bowling of the unfortunate Kagiso Rabada (2-39).

Image Id: CA4C2709215F41979A6884BA76DF9DE0 Image Caption: Rohit Sharma got an early life // Getty

He was dropped again off the same bowler on 107, but in between was faultless as he played the seamers with caution and used his guile to manoeuvre South Africa's spinners around the ground.

Rohit was supported by MS Dhoni (34) and Lokesh Rahul (26), but dominated the scoring to carry his bat through the innings for his 23rd one-day international century.

South Africa created opportunities in the field, but as has been the case throughout the World Cup so far, were uncharacteristically sloppy and battled to build pressure.

Image Id: 9F022976DEBF4FE1B2B73FFBDDFA25A7 Image Caption: David Miller drops a simple catch // Getty

India were able to milk singles through the middle part of the innings, which kept the run rate steady and kept them on course for victory with few alarms.

Chahal had earlier restricted South Africa's total with four wickets, continuing his excellent form against the Proteas in recent years.

Seamer Bumrah found prodigious movement in both directions to remove openers Hashim Amla (6) and Quinton de Kock (10) inside the first six overs.

Image Id: 11C007B1E2BC419287D926668071BBD3 Image Caption: Kuldeep celebrates the wicket of JP Duminy // Getty

Du Plessis (38) and Rassie van der Dussen (22) put on a patient 54 in 80 balls in a bid to rebuild the innings, but after the latter was bowled trying a reverse-sweep off Chahal, wickets fell at regular intervals.

Chris Morris (42) and Kagiso Rabada (31no) put on 66 for the eighth wicket to ensure their side posted a score that at least gave them a chance, but in the end it was a long way short of a potential winning target.

'Absolutely bizarre' moment costs Bangladesh against NZ

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE