Rohit Sharma steers India to six wicket victory over South Africa

Kohli celebrates with Yadav during their win over South Africa

If this World Cup was played under baseball rules, South Africa's third strike would see them retired from the remaining matches. It's hard to see how South Africa can overcome this start to win enough games, particularly seeing they have upcoming matches against the West Indies, New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan, to make the semi finals. In a must win match for the Proteas, winning the toss and electing to bat was a great start, but the top order failed to make an impact, left reeling at 89 for 5 as Yuzvendra Chahal and Jasprit Bumrah decimated the Proteas. In a worrying trend for World Cricket, it was the tail that batted with grit to give the South African total substance, with Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada arguably the best with bat in hand for the South Africans, combining for 107 of the 227 runs in their innings. But it was Chahal who was the main destroyer, finishing with 4/51 in a statement making performance from the leg spinner. In reply, South Africa started well, removing the dangerous Shikhar Dhawan for 8, and Virat Kohli was then removed when the score was only on 54, but they failed to account for Rohit Sharma who made them pay. Sharma, tipped by The Nightwatchman for a huge World Cup, batted with patience and poise to finish with 122* off 144 balls, to see India home in the 48th over with 6 wickets in hand. If Sharma was in the driving seat for the Indians, the bus never got out of cruise control as stars KL Rahul (26) and MS Dhoni (34) combined with Sharma to ensure of a first up win for the Indians. It was such a controlled performance, with individual brilliance from Jasprit Bumrah and Chahal who made the South Africans look clueless at times, as well as Rohit Sharma, which give Indian cricket fans hope of World Cup glory in England this year.

THE STAR

Rohit Sharma begun his campaign in perfect style.

Rohit Sharma's 23rd ODI century saw him move past Sourav Ganguly, but well behind Kohli (41) and Tendulkar (49). For the man who has three of the eight ODI double centuries, it was his slowest ever ODI century, striking at just 84.72. It showed another bow to his impressive arsenal. With Rohit Sharma able to score game-winning scores in different gears, it's a worrying sign for the rest of the competition. THE MOMENT

The Indian's appeal for the wicket of JP Duminy, who would later review helplessly his dismissal.

South Africa's JP Duminy requested a desperate review in the 23rd over as his side crumbled against India. It showed the enormity of the South African collapse was not lost on Duminy, who realised his wicket, and a failure in this match, could spell the end of the campaign for the South Africans. Duminy was ultimately given out LBW to Kuldeep Yadav for just three, and with it the hope of a South African batting revival to get them not only back into this game, but the World Cup. THE FAILURE

Faf du Plessis lost his bat during his innings in a photo that perfectly sums up the South African top order.

The South African top order failed to capitalise against the Indians after winning the toss and electing to bat. Hashim Amla (6), Quinton de Kock (10) and JP Duminy (3) failed the most, with only number 8 Chris Morris passing 40. With South Africa crumbling to 89 for 5, the South Africans have never missed AB De Villiers more than they do right now. WHAT NEXT - India take on the defending champions Australia on Sunday whilst South Africa take on the impressive West Indies on Monday. TONIGHT - Australia take on the West Indies from Trent Bridge.