India's pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah made an impressive World Cup debut as India restricted South Africa to 227/9 in a group match at the ICC World Cup, at Southampton on Wednesday.
Bumrah rocked the Proteas early with a two-wicket burst, and ended up with envious figures of 2/35 off his 10 overs. Had it not been for a rearguard effort from Andile Phehlukwayo (34), Chris Morris (42) and Kagiso Rabada (31*), South Africa would have had to suffer the ignominy of being dismissed for sub-200 total.
Skipper Faf du Plessis, too, got a start but failed to capitalise, falling to Yuzvendra Chahal for 38. Chahal, in fact, was the most successful Indian bowler, taking 4/51. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with two wickets and one respectively.
Earlier, du Plessis won the toss and chose to bat against a lively Indian bowling unit. The move backfired soon as Bumrah had openers Hashim Amla (6) and Quinton de Kock (10) edging behind the stumps.
Du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen (22) tried to rebuild the innings with a 54-run partnership but leg-spinner Chahal accounted for both. Though Yadav had only one wicket to show for his efforts, the spin-duo bowled well in the slog overs keeping the South African batsmen on a tight leash.
At 158/7, Indian would have fancied their chances of bowling South Africa out for a score below 200. But a 66-run partnership between Morris and Rabada ensured the Proteas set a respectable target for the Indians to chase.
