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India
133/9 (20)
South Africa
137/5 (19.4)
SA won by 5 wickets
Player of the match: Lungi Ngidi
 
Right then. This group has been thrown wide open again and that's keeping in tune with the theme of the tournament, isn't it? Sticking to themes, a happy Halloween to those celebrating! That's all we have from this contest. The hosts will take center stage against Ireland tomorrow. There's plenty riding on that contest for both teams as well. We'll be here to bring you all the action from that one, of course. For now, this is Pratyush Rohra, signing off on behalf of my partners, Soorya Sesha and Shashwat Kumar. Goodbye!
Three games, almost three wins and South Africa are perched atop Group 2 in the Super 12. They are one step closer to sealing a spot in the semifinals and this has complicated matters for Pakistan who simply must defeat them to stand a chance when they draw the battle lines in Sydney on Thursday. As for India, this is a time to reflect and ensure they bounce back as they play Bangladesh at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday. The Men in Blue have fond memories of that venue and will look to add onto them when they take the field again in a few days' time.
Temba Bavuma (South Africa captain): The discussion with the coach and the batters out there was to try and up the intent (after the drinks break). That's when opportunities generally come your way. Fortunately for us, things went our way in that period and we were able to get the momentum we needed. Our batting as a whole is in good form, probably barring myself. It's a batting unit that has been together for quite a while. The guys understand each other and know their strengths and weaknesses. To come through in a pressure moment like that speaks a lot about the guys confidence and will be a boost moving forward. (Bowling lengths) Watching the games here, we had decided what lengths we want to bowl here. Obviously, it was a bit risky with our guys having some extra pace but the variable bounce on the wicket assessed us. We tried to keep the mid-on and mid-off up for as long as possible. Made it slightly predictable with the lengths but we backed our execution and it came off for us today. (Team of the tournament?) We don't like that tag. We've come into the tournament, not as favorites. As I've said from the beginning, we keep flying under the radar. It's important for us to keep improving game in game out and that's exactly what we are doing. 
Rohit Sharma (India captain): We expected the pitch will have something in it with the weather around and the wind blowing across. There was help for the seamers. We saw that 130 wasn't an easy target to chase but eventually we fell short with the bat. I thought we fought well until the end but South Africa were better today. When you get that score you always think you're in the game because the pitch could come in help any time for the seamers. But that was a massive partnership between Markram and Miller. We were a little low on the field as well and gave too many chances. We just weren't good enough. We've played in such conditions before but that's not an excuse at all. We just weren't good. We want to be consistent in that department. Unfortunately we couldnt hold onto our chances and a few run outs missed including myself. But we need to keep our heads high. (Ashwin bowling the 18th over) I've seen what happens with the last over in the spinners. I just wanted to go the other way and finish with Ash and not keep him for the last over. I wanted the seamers to bowl the right overs. Even when the new batter came in it was the perfect time for him to bowl. But things tend to happen. Miller played really well.
Lungi Ngidi is the Player of the Match for his stellar spell of 4/29. Here's what he has to say: It was pretty nerve-wrecking. When it get down that close, as a bowler you can't do much about it. You've just got to sit and believe in the boys. This is possibly one of my biggest dreams to be honest - to do something like this in a World Cup. Going to cherish this for a long time. (Plan on what lengths to bowl) It comes down to the games being played here. Fortunately I hagve played here before as well. Watching the games before, we saw Pakistan bowl here earlier and we tried pretty much the same thing and it worked. (Where did the game change?) Just after that 10-over break, you could just see intent with the way Markram was playing. They (India) did well to push it to the end.
South Africa clinch a thriller to win by 5 wickets!

David Miller - 59 (46) | Lungi Ngidi - 4/29
Suryakumar Yadav - 68 (40) | Arshdeep Singh - 2/25

South Africa move to the top of the table with a victory in a humdinger of a game against the Indian side. They were the better side in all three departments for the larger chunk of the game and the result is merely a reflection of that. That's not to say India were poor. Far from it.

After a below par performance with the bat, the Men in Blue responded strongly with the ball to make a contest out of this low-scoring game. Arshdeep got the ball rolling as he dismissed de Kock and Rossouw in his first over with Bavuma following soon after. 

At that stage, India were well and truly in the game. That's when Miller and Markram came into the contest and grinded it out in the middle overs. The 76-run stand of 60 deliveries was a partnership of sheer maturity and class, timing their assault to perfection after the drinks break.

They picked their bowlers and targeted Hardik and Ashwin to put the pressure back on India. The major talking point and the most disappointing aspect of India's game today was their fielding. The dropped catch from Kohli could go down as the turning point in this contest while the Men in Blue missed out on a handful of runout opportunities as well.

That takes nothing away from the Proteas though. Especially Markram and Miller, who recorded commanding half-centuries, with the latter eventually getting his side over the line. From 40/3, the two led a sensational recovery to ensure South Africa get the crucial two points on the board. The captains will have a bit to say after a high-octane contest like this. Stick around for the presentations. 
19.4 Bhuvneshwar Kumar to David Miller, FOUR! GAME, SET AND MATCH! Miller lets out a huge roar and why wouldn't he? This has been a superlative innings under pressure! Pitched up outside the off stump and all he has to do is get underneath it and slice it into the vacant real estate in front of point as it scorches to the fence. After a huff and a puff, South Africa prevail by 5 wickets with 2 deliveries to spare!
That's unfortunate for Bhuvneshwar. The idea was right and it did take Miller by surprise. Scores are level now!
19.3 Bhuvneshwar Kumar to David Miller, TOP EDGED FOR FOUR! Kumar goes for the bouncer outside leg stump and Miller does what he has to. He goes through with a swivel pull before the ball balloons off his glove over the reach of the keeper for four
5 needed in 4 balls now. For Miller, it could be a matter of one delivery if he clears the ropes. Rohit and Hardik are in conversation with the bowler. India don't have to worry about their over rate now. Three fielders deep on the leg-side. Mid-on is up.
19.2 Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Wayne Parnell, back of a length delivery outside off stump, Parnell gets on top of the bounce and gently punches it into the gap in front of point as he jogs a run. Does his job of getting Miller back on strike!
19.1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Wayne Parnell, DOT BALL! Back of a length delivery outside the leg stump, thuds into Parnell's pads as he looks to help it off his hips upon half-bracing his knees. Ends up rolling into the off-side instead
Can the unsung hero do it again? Parnell will be on strike to start this over. That should give India a glimmer of hope.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar [3.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack
That is an epic response from Shami after conceding a boundary first up. This game has had plenty of twists and turns but the dropped catch of Markram might be the major turning point. If you missed that, here it is.
19
overs
128 /5 score
4
0
0
1
1
0
runs
cricket bat icon David Miller *
51 (44)
cricket bat icon Wayne Parnell
1 (3)
cricket ball icon Mohammed Shami
1 /13
18.6 Mohammad Shami to David Miller, OOH! Dug into the surface outside the off stump as it flies off the deck towards the keeper with Miller failing to connect with his pull. He looks towards the umpire at square leg who deems the height fine. Final over coming up!
South Africa are one big hit away. Killer Miller to finish things off in style?