Chasing a target of 228, Sharma finished on a score of 122 not out as India began their campaign with a comfortable six-wicket win at Hampshire Bowl in Southampton.

India restricted South Africa to 227-9 from their 50 overs as leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal took 4-51, including two wickets in a single over, and Jaspit Bumrah did the damage with the new ball.

Bumrah took the key wickets of Hashim Amla and Quentin de Kock for six and 10 runs, respectively, to leave South Africa 24-2.

The South Africans, beaten in their first two matches at the tournament, were unable to recover and lost wickets at regular intervals to leave India with a manageable target for victory.

India made a slow start to their reply, losing opener Shikhar Dhawan before De Kock produced a sensational catch to get rid of dangerman Virat Kohli.

Dhawan's fellow opener Sharma steadied the ship and the 32-year-old set about rebuilding his team's innings.

Sharma, dropped on 107, and MS Dhoni, who scored 34, made a half-century stand to help seal the win for India.

Defeat for South Africa means they are likely to have to win their remaining six games if they are to stand a chance of reaching the knockout phase.

In the other match played today, New Zealand edged Bangladesh by two wickets at The Oval.

New Zealand looked on course for a comfortable run chase but a batting collapse threatened their chances of victory.

But they held on and reached their target of 245 in a thrilling contest to claim their second win of the tournament.