Heading into the virtual quarter-final game against South Africa in the Champions Trophy, India looked confident. The Men in Blue won the toss and opted to field, playing to their strengths in chasing. Both teams made one change each – India brought in Ravichandran Ashwin, who replaced Umesh Yadav while South Africa brought in Andile Phehlukwayo for Wayne Parnell.

The Proteas’ prolific openers – Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla got off to a steady start. However, Ravi Ashwin got India the breakthrough to break a burgeoning partnership, as Hashim Amla was out caught behind to put an end to the opening stand of 76 runs. However, Quinton de Kock went on and posted another fifty against India. De Kock had a 100% conversion rate against India but he would fall short this time as Jadeja bamboozled the southpaw to clean him up.

It would be a sign of things to come. AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis looked to build a partnership but a poor mix-up between the two played to India’s advantage. All-rounder Hardik Pandya’s accurate throw at the striker’s end brought curtains down on de Villiers’ promising knock. It was déjà vu as the South African skipper was run out during the ICC World Cup 2015 against India as well. Soon after, David Miller was on his way back to the pavilion too, after a comical mix-up. Du Plessis and Miller’s hesitation saw them pay the price as India pounced again.

Building a partnership was the need of the hour as the Proteas were banking on du Plessis and JP Duminy. The Indian bowlers kept things tight and didn’t concede many freebies. South Africa started to feel the pressure after tight bowling by the Indian bowlers. The quality of bowling meant wickets were bound to come and South Africa succumbed to the pressure. Faf du Plessis, going into the game had a superb record against India, but today he got out cheaply, thanks to smart bowling by Hardik Pandya. The Indian all-rounder’s off-cutter deceived du Plessis as the latter saw his stumps disturbed after an inside edge. South Africa were in big trouble now and it was evident with their running between the wickets. Wickets kept tumbling as Jasprit Bumrah claimed Chris Morris’ scalp following a poor shot.

With just 10 overs and the score at 178/6, South Africa wanted to accelerate but they didn’t have wickets in hand. Bumrah made things tougher as his classic toe-crusher was enough to send Phehlukwayo back to the dressing room. The umpire gave it not out but India were confident with their review. Replays confirmed it pitched in-line and would have hit the stumps. The decision was overturned and the Proteas were staring down the barrel.

Virat Kohli could smell blood and brought on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the latter didn’t disappoint. The pacer picked up two wickets in the over as Kagiso Rabada while Morne Morkel didn’t trouble the scorers as he was dismissed for a golden duck, giving the Indian bowler a chance of a hat-trick to close the innings. It was not meant to be though for Bhuvi.

South Africa’s though, would see their innings wrapped up after another run out turned out to be their downfall – a dismissal that summed up the South African innings. The Proteas lost their last 8 wickets for a paltry 51 runs. Clinical bowling and fielding by Team India would restrict the Proteas to just 191.

India started off their run chase with the reliable opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Kagiso Rabada started off with a maiden over but the Indian openers cut loose later on. South African needed a breakthrough desperately and Morne Morkel provided them one when Rohit Sharma went for a big shot, only to edge it behind to the keeper. Virat Kohli walked out at number 3 and started off cautiously. It was Shikhar Dhawan at the other end who was taking initiative. Kohli then started to play his shots and looked in good touch as well. South Africa tried to apply pressure but their fielding let them down. India started to get the odd boundaries and were eventually cruising. There were chances on offer but the Indian batsmen held their nerves.

Both Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli hit fifties and the Proteas started to feel the heat. Nothing went their way as Dhawan went atop the run-scorers chart in this edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. Dhawan’s knock oozed flamboyance mixed with some calculated risks, whereas Kohli rotated strike, steadily building his innings.

The duo breezed to a 100-run stand never looked in trouble. But they couldn’t see of the game together as Imran Tahir got the breakthrough for South Africa. Dhawan’s outstanding knock came to an end when he tried to hit one down the ground but miscued it towards long on. He departed after a well-made 78.Yuvraj Singh joined Kohli and the duo made sure there were no hiccups as they powered India to an 8-wicket victory to knock South Africa out.

Jasprit Bumrah was awarded the Man of the Match for his excellent spell of 2/28 off 8 overs.

India will now meet Bangladesh in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2017 and given their history over their neighbours, they will fancy their chances. Factor in their unbeaten record in the semi-finals of ICC events in England and the Men in Blue are pipped as favourites.