‘SA won hearts’ – Fans react as South Africa beat Sri Lanka to open their campaign in high-scoring match of ODI World Cup 2023

The South African cricket team won their opening game against Sri Lanka by 102 runs in the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 7 at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi. The Proteas becomes the first team to post the highest total in the ODI World Cup, shattering the records held by Team Australia and India earlier. Meanwhile, South Africa also became the first team with three batters to score centuries in ODI World Cup history.

Talking about the game, Dasun Shanaka won the toss and sent the Temba Bavuma-led side to bat first. After being sent to bat first, the Proteas lit up the show with back-to-back three centuries. The left-handed star Quinton de Kock struck out 100 runs, whereas R. van der Dussen made 108 runs, which boosted their middle order. Notably, Aiden Markram also piled up 106 runs from just 54 balls with a great strike rate.

Following their centuries, wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klassen scored 32 runs. Later, star middle-order batters David Miller and Marco Jansen remained unbeaten with scores of 39 and 12 runs, respectively, to post a massive total of 428 runs. Undoubtedly, the Sri Lankan side tried and fought very well but lost wickets during the play.

The game was sealed in the first half as South Africa registered the world record for the highest total

Notably, while chasing, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera failed to get off to a great start. Notably, Vice Captain Kusal Mendis hammered 76 runs from just 42 balls, featuring four boundaries and eight sixes with a great strike rate of 180. In addition, Charith Asalanka also scored 79 runs from 65 balls to keep their hope alive of chasing down the huge total.

However, the Sri Lankan team couldn’t capitalize on this great momentum and lost the game. Notably, the Dasun Shanaka side went to a crushing NRR defeat against the South African side in their opening game of the ODI World Cup 2023. Undeniably, Sri Lanka finished in the top spot in the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers but couldn’t continue that strong form in the marquee event.

Check out how fans have reacted to this win:

They won hearts

— M@ula (@OfclMaula) October 7, 2023

Never writing of South Africa 🔥

— Yash Bhadouriya 🇮🇳 (@Yashvenom45) October 7, 2023

South Africa came as underrated but this team will surprise many ❤️

— Yash Bhadouriya 🇮🇳 (@Yashvenom45) October 7, 2023

Proteas started their campaign with the bang.🔥🔥🔥

— Tushar N. (@Tussh_aar) October 7, 2023

Sri Lanka fought like champions

— Hamza Tariq (@_HamzaPro) October 7, 2023