Champions Trophy: India thrash South Africa to reach semi-finals as Proteas crash out

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Match scores (Edgbaston) 

India win by 8 wickets 

South Africa inns: 191 all out (44.3/50 overs. de Kock 53; Kumar 2-23, Bumrah 2-28)

India inns: 193-2 (38/50 overs. Dhawan 78, Kohli 76no)

Match report 

India eased into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy as they beat South Africa by eight wickets at the Oval.

Having lost the toss and being put in to bat, South Africa started slowly before a spell of eight wickets for 51 runs put them on the back foot as a trio of run-outs cost them dear.

The capitulation meant South Africa were all out for 191 and India, who had bowled professionally and disciplined, were guided home by impressive knocks from Shikhar Dhawan (78) and captain Virat Kohli (76 not out) as they advanced into the last four.

The pair put on 128 for the second wicket before Dhawan was caught, but the damage had long been done to South Africa's hopes.

They had only themselves to blame as, while Quinton de Kock hit 53, the likes of skipper AB de Villiers (16) and David Miller (one) were victims of poor communication to be run out as South Africa belied their position as the world's best one-day nation.

Hashim Amla was very watchful, escaping an early run-out attempt as he toiled for runs before falling for 35 off 54 balls.

Both de Kock and Amla survived early run-out chances, with the former dropped by Hardik Pandya as the early runs were hard to come by.

After their slow start, Amla and De Kock began to tick over, only for the former to edge into MS Dhoni's gloves off the bowling of the recalled Ravi Ashwin in the 18th over.

Having seen an lbw appeal against him turned down in the same over he reached his half-century, De Kock was bowled by Ravindra Jadeja off the next ball.

South Africa's one-day skipper De Villiers was next to the crease, having overcome a hamstring scare to take his place in the side.

But he would not hang about as his poor form in the tournament continued and he was run out as South Africa tried to sneak a single.

He had made16 runs off 12 balls but was caught out of his ground as he dived to beat Pandya's throw, only to come up short as Dhoni whipped off the bails.

If that run-out was unlucky, the next - which saw Miller depart for just one as both he and Faf du Plessis ended up at the same end following a lack of communication between the pair - was farcical.

Pandya struck to snare of the wicket of Du Plessis (36) before Chris Morris (four) top-edged Jasprit Bumrah to Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Kohli was enjoying a great day in the field and the India skipper made the right call to challenge a not-out decision against an lbw appeal against Andile Phehlukwayo, who also went for four - with Kagiso Rabada (five) also quickly back in the pavilion off the next ball.

South Africa's innings would end in another embarrassing run-out as a mix-up saw Imran Tahir out in the 45th over to leave India a modest target of 192 to reach the final four.

India set about chasing down their victory total in a manner that encapsulated the day's play, with a daring single that would have led to a run-out had Miller found the stumps.

Rohit Sharma then put his foot down to score runs in the way India would prefer, sending an on-drive for four before a six off the next of Rabada's deliveries.

Dhawan sent a More Morkel delivery over the same boundary in the next over before a Phehlukwayo misfield allowed the Indian opener to add another four runs.

Sharma (12) would go for one big shot too many and edged off Morkel to De Kock as captain Kohli made his way out to a rapturous ovation.

South Africa responded with back-to-back maiden overs but consecutive boundaries for Dhawan just about kept India on course.

Kohli did not hit a boundary until his 25th delivery but he made up with it with a superb six back down the ground.

Kohli survived an edge towards Amla in the slip cordon as more boundaries followed to bring up the 100 for India, with no further wickets lost.

Dhawan was the first of the pair to reach his half-century with his eighth four, with Kohli reaching the same landmark soon after.

The result was all-but a formality by that stage and Dhawan began to go through his repertoire of shots before trying one too many, being caught by Du Plessis off the bowling of Tahir.

Yuvraj Singh (23 not out) would be the man to help Kohli guide India home, hammering a massive six as the reigning champions reached their goal with 12 overs remaining.

Match reaction

India captain Virat Kohli on his side's bowling attack: "The pressure was built by the bowlers and that I think resulted in those breakthroughs we got in the field," he said.

"It is important to grab those opportunities. We wanted to improve our fielding, it was something we required and before we went out we had a chat in the huddle and I said I wanted everyone's intensity to go up, that is a conscious effort we have to make.

"All of the bowlers executed their plan so well in such a big game and to be able to bowl like that against a batting line up of their ability, we can feel confident and would like to take it forward into the semis.

"I can't pinpoint any negatives from the day, it was our best game yet. The small things are something we are focusing on. Until you have a team effort you can't win games, especially in conditions you are unfamiliar with.

"You have to understand how to finish games off, luckily we got their big strikers out early. The bowlers stuck to their lines and got us the breakthroughs when we needed them."

South Africa captain AB De Villiers on whether he's the right man to lead his side to World Cup success in 2019: "It is always very disappointing when we lose but the way we lost was the most disappointing.

"Through soft dismissals we lost our way and that was the part that hurt the most. Run-outs happen but three in one innings is not how we want to play our cricket that is for sure.

"I'm a good captain and I can take this team forward and win the World Cup I believe, I love doing it. Not a lot of people believe me but I feel it is pretty close, it is very difficult to say that after a performance like this but that is what I believe in my heart."