• Netherlands registered a brilliant 38-run victory over South Africa in the 15th match of the ODI World Cup 2023.

  • Netizens sparked a meme fest after the Dutch team's sensational win over the Proteas side.

World Cup 2023: Memes galore after Netherlands hand South Africa an upset in Dharamsala
Memes galore after Netherlands hand South Africa an upset in Dharamsala (Image Source: Twitter)

In the mesmerizing tapestry of cricket’s unpredictable moments, where underdogs can rise to glory in the blink of an eye, the ODI World Cup 2023 presented yet another enthralling chapter just days after the world watched Afghanistan triumph over defending champions England in the ongoing world event, another seismic shockwave reverberated across the cricketing universe. This time, it was the Netherlands who took centre stage by stunning South Africa in a remarkable showdown at the enchanting in Dharamsala on Tuesday (October 17).

As the Dutch side pulled off a momentous victory, cricket aficionados rejoiced, and social media platforms were set ablaze with celebratory messages. But amidst the jubilation, it was the cascade of side-splitting memes that added a humorous touch to the tale.

The Dutch Delight: A Victory Born from Grit

The Netherlands won the hearts of cricket enthusiasts with their impressive performance. Batting first, they posted a competitive total of 245/8 in their allotted 43 overs. The standout hero for the Dutch team was Scott Edwards, whose resilient innings of 78 runs off 69 balls, featuring ten boundaries, played a pivotal role in building this total. Aryan Dutt provided late fireworks with a blistering 23 runs off just nine balls, including three sixes.

South Africa’s bowlers did their best to contain the Dutch batting lineup. Lungi Ngidi was among the top performers, claiming two important wickets while conceding 57 runs in his 9 overs. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada also contributed, each taking two wickets to maintain the pressure on the Netherlands. However, the Dutch batsmen showed remarkable resilience in building their innings.

Also READ: Gautam Gambhir shares a valuable piece of advice for Pakistan skipper Babar Azam; gives Shahid Afridi’s reference

South Africa’s quest for victory faces a setback

In reply, South Africa’s innings saw a series of hiccups, and they were eventually bowled out for 207 runs in 42.5 overs. David Miller was the top scorer for the Proteas, holding the innings together with his well-crafted 43 runs off 52 balls, including four boundaries and one six. Keshav Maharaj also played a pivotal role, contributing 40 runs from 37 deliveries.

Logan van Beek emerged as the star performer with the ball for the Netherlands, claiming three crucial wickets for 60 runs in 8.5 overs. The Netherlands’ bowling attack collectively applied immense pressure on the South African batters, with Paul van Meekeren, Roelof van der Merwe, and Bas de Leede all contributing with vital wickets.

In the end, Netherlands celebrated a memorable victory, defeating South Africa by a margin of 38 runs. Their strong batting performance, coupled with effective bowling, allowed them to successfully defend their total.

Also READ: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma opens up on shocking defeat against the Netherlands

Memes take over the internet

As the news of South Africa’s loss spread, social media platforms became a battleground for cricket enthusiasts, and hilarious memes of all shapes and sizes began flooding the internet, offering a humorous take on the surprising victory.

Here are some of the best memes:

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About the Author:
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.