India v Namibia

At Pietermaritzburg, February 23, 2003. India won by 181 runs. Toss: Namibia. One-day international debut: B. O. van Rooi.

India's batting blasted off at last, propelling them to their biggest victory in the World Cup (at least until they thrashed Sri Lanka in the Super Six). Earlier in the week, the team had been greeted rapturously when they helped unveil a plaque at Pietermaritzburg station where, in 1893, Mahatma Gandhi had been thrown off a train because of his colour. Here at the cricket ground, their support was equally fervent. To shouts of "Sachin, Sachin", Tendulkar eased his way to 152 - his 34th one-day century - without ever producing that familiar, resounding crack of the bat. Namibia, who had chosen to field first, had the despair of dropping him on 32, although Ganguly played, if anything, with more freedom and found his form with hoisted fours and sixes. Together they added 244, their third stand of more than 200 in one-day internationals. Jan-Berrie Burger then injected some fire to Namibia's reply - hitting four fours and a six - but after he had gone their biggest success was managing to bat out more than 42 overs. India's main setback came when Nehra slipped and damaged his ankle attempting his second delivery.

Man of the Match: S. R. Tendulkar. Attendance: 4,805.