Three and a half hours of unexpectedly poor cricket has left India’s defence of their World Cup crown hanging by the slenderest of threads. 

A Sunday night pregnant with promise began with India making all the right moves at the Narendra Modi Stadium, but even in the 20-over format, bossing just the first tenth of a match translates to nothing. South Africa showcased the clinical efficiency that has come to characterise their cricket in the last few years, while India were woefully sub-par with the ball, sloppy and undisciplined, while their batting unravelled spectacularly following yet another first-over setback.