Shikhar Dhawan hit his maiden one-day international century to set up India’s 26-run win over South Africa in a high-scoring Champions Trophy opener on Thursday, lifting the gloom in Indian cricket amid a spot-fixing scandal back home.
Dhawan’s 94-ball 114 and a late flurry of boundaries by Ravindra Jadeja (47 not out) helped the world champions post 7-331 under sunny skies, leaving the Proteas requiring a record run chase in Cardiff to win the Group B fixture.
The South Africans recovered from losing two early wickets to be well positioned on 2-155 in the 25th over, but a run out of Robin Peterson (68) and captain AB de Villiers’ departure for 70 left the pre-tournament favourites with too much to do.
Pakistan and the West Indies are the other two teams in the group, from which the top two will advance to the semi-finals.
The Indians are looking to add the Champions Trophy to their 50-over world title from 2011.