India defeated South Africa by eight wickets at the ICC Champions Trophy ©Getty Images

India put together a ruthless performance today at the Oval in London as they thrashed South Africa by eight wickets in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy.

A chaotic batting display from the South Africans, who entered the tournament as the top ranked One-Day International side in the world, saw them end up on 191 all out.

Their bowlers were then hit around the park by India’s batsmen, who scored 21 fours and four sixes, as their victory came with just 38 of the 50 overs required.

India now progress to the semi-final stage of the competition and South Africa will head home.

A solid start had been made by the Africans as openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla put on 76 for the first wicket before the latter was caught behind for 35 off Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling.

De Kock was bowled by Ravindra Jadeja for 56 but it still did not seem the innings was about to sink.

With the score on 140-2, however, captain AB de Villiers was run out for 16 and this sparked a collapse which saw the next seven wickets cost India just 51 runs.

There were a further two run outs, both of which were comical, as South Africa dug themselves into a hole.

Perhaps the more embarrassing of the two ended with Faf du Plessis and David Miller finding themselves diving for the same crease, allowing Jasprit Bumrah to throw the ball to the non-strikers end for the run out to be completed and the latter mentioned batsman departing.

South Africa's David Miller and Faf du Plessis have a discussion in the middle after a run out ©Getty Images
South Africa's David Miller and Faf du Plessis have a discussion in the middle after a run out ©Getty Images

JP Duminy was the only other batsman to reach double figures for South Africa, finishing on 20 not out, as wickets fell at regular intervals before Imran Tahir’s run out rounded off the innings.

In their reply, India lost Rohit Sharma early on when he was caught by wicketkeeper De Kock off Morne Morkel for 12.

A second wicket stand of 128 from Shikhar Dhawan and captain Virat Kohli all but ended any hopes for South Africa of getting something from the game.

Dhawan was eventually caught by Du Plessis off Tahir’s bowling for 78.

By this point though, India needed just 41 runs from 19.5 overs to secure victory.

They were seen over the line by Kohli, who finished on 76 not out, and Yuvraj Singh, who scored 23 off 25 balls.

Tomorrow, the competition’s final group stage game is due to take place between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

Whoever wins this clash will also reach the semi-finals, joining India, England and Bangladesh.