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Dhawan made a well-paced 114
A commanding batting performance helped India score a comprehensive 26-run win over South Africa in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy in Cardiff on Thursday.
Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan's maiden ODI century and his 127-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma propelled India to a commanding 331 for seven. South Africa managed 305 in reply.
India were put into bat after skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost the toss in an overcast and chilly morning. If South Africa can chase down the Indian total, it will be a record at this venue.
The highest successful chase here is 258 for three by Australia against Pakistan in a NatWest series match in 2001. Interestingly, all the seven completed ODIs here have been won by the team batting second.
The morning session belonged to Dhawan. He was third out in the 38th over after scoring a well-paced 114, studded with 12 fours and a six.
Rohit Sharma registered his 14th fifty
India made a cautious start after being sent in to bat. But Dhawan and Rohit Sharma put the South African pacers to the sword on a Swalec Stadium wicket that had plenty of runs in it.
India opted to play Sharma as an opener in place of Murali Vijay. Both batsmen had failed to score in the two warm-up games, but Sharma's experience and potential as an opener prevailed when it came to picking the playing XI.
Sharma aptly vindicated his skipper's faith, making 65 off 81 balls. The knock contained a six and eight boundaries.
Sharma's 14th ODI half-century will help skipper Dhoni breathe a little easy as India travel to The Oval in London to play West Indies next.
McLaren was South Africa's best bowler
Ryan McLaren was South Africa's best bowler on the day with figures of three for 70.
Trying to flick McLaren, Sharma was out caught at the deep mid-wicket.
Dinesh Karthik, promoted to No. 4 was out for 14 and Suresh Raina (9) flattered to deceive after slamming McLaren for a six at mid-wicket.
Both Karthik and Raina fell to McLaren, who later made a significant contribution with the bat as well.
Jadeja made a 29-ball 47
The only 'life' in Dhawan's 94-ball innings came immediately after he scored his century. AB de Villiers missed a stumping chance after the left-hander stepped out to off-spinner JP Duminy and missed the line.
De Villiers also missed a chance to run Ravindra Jadeja (47 not out) out later in the innings.
India produced 82 runs in the last 10 overs with Jadeja the aggressor with seven fours and a six. But all credit for the 300-plus score will go to the openers who showed patience and poise when it mattered most.
India struck early with the ball
Chasing an imposing total, South Africa made a disastrous start, Bhuvneshwar Kumar having Colin Ingram (6) caught by Suresh Raina in the third over.
In the fourth, Umesh Yadav had Hashim Amla (22) caught behind. Amla's 15-ball knock consisted of four boundaries but his dismissal reduced South Africa to 31 for two.
Yadav returned to have AB de Villiers (70) caught by Jadeja.
De Villiers made a 71-ball 70
AB de Villiers led the chase for South Africa with 70, his 71-ball knock comprising of seven boundaries.
The South African captain was also involved in a 124-run third wicket stand with Robin Peterson, one that laid the foundation of their innings.
However, once both left it was downhill for South Africa.
Ryan McLaren provided some late resistance with a resolute half century, remaining unbeaten on 71, but by then the damage had been done.
Jadeja was India's best bowler
Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of India's bowlers with figures of two for 31 off his nine overs.
The left-armer claimed the wickets of JP Duminy (14) and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (3).
Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar also picked up two wickets apiece but were expensive.
They could afford to as the Indian batsmen had done the job earlier in the day.