“Is Pant’s ‘knee injury’ the defining moment of the tournament? Looks a bit grim from this neutral POV, sucking away SA’s momentum and giving Rohit and co a free strategic timeout.” Ah, Nathan Brown – who knows, who knows?

“Was that a legal catch?” asks Paul Burns. “After going over, Yadav never got a foot down inside the rope before taking it.”

The umpires did check it at the time, so i think all is above board.

“To steal someone’s phrase,” taps David Bertram, “Cricket bloody hell.”

Eoin Morgan is in plain-speaking mode. “South Africa spectacularly fell apart.” he says. “I thought with the momentum that was there today, they were there, they took the game to the brink and then acted like a frightened rabbit, you have to stick to the process.”

Interview, interviews, interviews. Axar Patel: “This means everything to me, when I come to this World Cup, the feeling that I have to do something for India and finally I do it. Im trying to keep it simple and trying not to think it was a final, just playing on merit. I think Rahul and Rohit, you can see, he is an amazing man. I wasn’t expecting to be promoted today, I didn’t et to think about my batting and that wasn’t for me.” Dravid stands quietly on the sidelines, taking it all in. Jay Shah, BCCI secretary, seems to help plant an India flag in the pitch and pose by it before taking a call on his mobile.

“Sorry to spam your inbox today.” It’s a pleasure Bhawesh. “So stressful these last few overs and my friends in India and USA won’t pick my call, haha. Such a great game. So happy India ended up on the winning side today. I guess getting Bumrah earlier paid off and South Africa wanted to see him through, a totally reasonable plan. Well supported by other bowlers One has to feel for South Africa though. They made it to final this time, they will win it soon. Love their team. Tough luck today for them.

“Dancing is on tonight!”

Diamonds on the soles of your shoes. Enjoy!

Rohit, after stealing a quiet few seconds for himself, brings his team over to shake hands with South Africa. Hardik is completely overwhelmed, he and David Miller share the embrace of two men who’ve come through high tension – though on different sides of the cruel divide.

19.4: Whatever Rohit and Hardik discussed, it wasn’t that. A wide. Nine needed from two.

19.4: A leg bye! 10 needed from two. Rohit and Hadik discuss. They can’t watch in the SA dugout.

19.3: A bye! 11 needed from three

19.2: Rabada flays an edge for four! 12 needed from four

19th over: South Africa 161-6 (Miller 18, Maharaj 1) chasing 177 16 needed from 6 What can Arshdeep leave for Hardik to play with? (forgive me, Bumrah is now bowled out) Maharaj can’t squeak a run from the first two, a single from the third, then Miller nurdles two. A single from the fifth puts Maharaj on strike – will he just try to survive the last ball to leave Miller on strike. In the crowd, they watch through spread fingers. A brilliant bit of fielding from Arshdeep as he leaps in follow through to field the ball. Excellent over and high fives all round.

“I’m surprised there’s been so little mention of the special tournament playing condition in the event of India going 1-0 down in the play-off final series this weekend?” Are you being mischievous Brian Withington?

18th over: South Africa 157-6 (Miller 18, Maharaj 1) chasing 177 20 needed from 12 Miller shadow boxes at Bumrah’s first ball, bum sticking out like a unsupported shelf. The second a dot, a single from the third. Can he breakthrough? Yes he can, of course he can – a ball of beauty. Maharaj somehow gets the bat down on the fifth, and the sixth is squeezed for a single. High, high, tension.

17th over: South Africa 155-5 (Miller 17, Jansen 2) chasing 177 22 needed from 18 Hardik changes the game with that wicket, from boundaries every ball to four singles from the over.

“Guess we are not winning this one either!” writes Bhawesh Kumar. “Happy for South Africa if they win. They have had their heartbreaks!” Still time Bhawesh, still time.

15th over: South Africa 147-4 (Klaasen 49, Miller 14) chasing 177 Dismayed faces in the crowd. Hands on hips for Rohit as Klaasen ploughs through Axar Patel – 24 from the over: Four over Axar’s head, then six onto the roof, six over long-on, four flying through the off side. Throw in a couple of wides and South Africa now need just a run a ball.

14th over: South Africa 123-4 (Klaasen 27, Miller 14) chasing 177 Kuldeep’s last over, without his usual mischief today. Miller carves him away for four, and next ball pulls him for six. Fourteen from the over, Miller immediately hits his stride.

13th over: South Africa 109-4 (Klaasen 26, Miller 1) chasing 177 Arsheep comes back and de Kock flicks him over fine leg with a swivel on the back foot for four. But he’s blind to the immediate field change as fine leg shuffles back, repeats the shot and must be on his way. Twist follows turn.

11th over: South Africa 93-3 (de Kock 34, Klaasen 16) Jadeja - headband, sunglasses. Klaasen smashes him straight and long over the sightscreen for six. Touch of the Klusener about his simplicity of hitting. Jadeja sprints to field off his own bowling, a touch of anxiety to India in the field now. 12 from the over.

10th over: South Africa 81-3 (de Kock 29, Klaasen 7) Brief breathing space for India with three dots off Hardik’s first over, but then Klaasen flambes six, flat and straight over point. A no ball brings a free hit which Pant takes behind the stumps. At the half way stage, South AFrica are marginally ahead. But Bumrah.

“Good afternoon,” hello Bhawesh Kumar!

“The last time I sent you an email, it was probably 4 am or something in Cambridge, MA, and India was playing Australia in the World Cup final. I was anxious about India losing the game. This time around, the viewing time is much more reasonable, and as I am starting to get worried by this dangerous-looking partnership, Axar Patel clean bowlds Stubbs. My heart is starting to beat normally again. Hoping this time India wins the game. I will go dancing tonight if that happens :)“

Fifty fifty at this stage as to whether your dancing shoes remain in the cupboard…

9th over: South Africa 71-3 (de Kock 29, Klaasen 0) Stubbs starts the over by slog-sweeping Axar brilliantly, but must leave the arena with the job less than half done.

8th over: South Africa 62-2 (de Kock 28, Stubbs 24) Continuing to roll along nicely, 13 off the previously unplayable Kuldeep, including a huge six, slog-swept onto the solar panel by de Kock!

7th over: South Africa 49-2 (de Kock 21, Stubbs 18) India were 49-3 at the same stage. Seven from Axar’s over, including a slog-sweep for four from Stubbs. South Africa not overawed here.

Hello Alfred Hartford: “I’m a cricket fan from New Zealand presently in London and gratefully following your match feed in The Guardian.

“I’d love to know which Indian bowlers SA plan to attack. Good luck with that!

“Hope SA stay in the chase until the final overs when we’ll see the incomparable Bumrah whirling his dervishes!”

Famous last words but this looks like it will go down to the wire.

6th over: South Africa 42-2 (de Kock 20, Stubbs 12) Kuldeep with the final over of the power play, long fringe blowing in the strong wind. Pant and de Kock share a laugh, then de Kock, wriggling for position in the crease, cuts Kuldeep for four from his final ball. South Africa definitely still in it at this stage.

“Hi Tanya, I think Markram let slip a “poes”, the grittier South African version of your British c-word.” Thank you for that excellent bit of lip-reading Lauren Hess!

5th over: South Africa 32-2 (de Kock 15, Stubbs 7) After a cracking more-than-cameo with the bat, it is Axar’s turn with the ball. Relative riches for South Africa as both batters pick up four plus a couple of singles.

4th over: South Africa 22-2 (de Kock 10, Stubbs 2) An exorbitant eight from Bumrah’s second: de Kock finding a boundary in the gap past slip.

3rd over: South Africa 14-2 (de Kock 3, Stubbs 1) Rohit is persuaded to review a “caught behind” – I don’t know the stats on this but my impressions is Rohit is a terrible judge of these things – and India duly lose their review – nothing showing on ultra edge.

Hello Teresa Ewart: “Just finished watching the TDF - and onto the cricket… Good grief! Are they playing music between each ball? In what world does that make sense? Surely it makes it hard to concentrate? They “do stuff” between balls don’t they?” So true! I think the players are trained to just zone out though. Similarly I have no idea how those TDF riders keep going along a tiny path between packed shouting crowds with men run alongside them with flares.

2nd over: South Africa 11-1 (de Kock 1, Markram 4) Markram in early, but sends his first ball from Bumrah for four wiht some panache. Just watching Bumrah’s wicket again, Hendricks played with a straight bat but the ball laughed and passed by on its merry way. Just brilliant.

Kohli makes his mark at last – whether it was a masterpiece or too slow, we shall find out! Time for me to make a quick cup of tea, back shortly.

19th over: India 167-5 (Hardik 4, Dube 22) Jansen with the penultimate over – not a man who oozes confidence. South Africa think they’ve had Kohli caught behind, but it turns out to be a no ball. Kohli swings wildly at the free hit and misses – he fancies it was a wide but is told no. Kohli then pings a full toss through backward square for four, then six straight and sweet as you like, before being caught. That wicket could keep the final total more manageable for South Africa. Ah - but then Hardik immediately picks up four from a top-edge over the keeper.

18th over: India 150-4 (Kohli 64, Dube 22) Rabada’s first ball is greeted with a huge straight six from Kohli. The next goes for two, with Kohli sprinting wolf-like, prey in his sights. Four more swung with with dancing wrists to the rope. A big fat wide. Not Rabada’s best work: 16 from the over.

16th over: India 126-4 (Kohli 48, Dube 15) Shamsie is back, the brass band a tooting, drums pounding at the Kensington Oval. Dube goes again, very wide stance, swings Shamsie powerfully for four. Time, I think, to put the foot down.

15th over: India 118-4 (Kohli 46, Dube 9) Dube gives himself a couple of balls to get his eye in then swings the fragile-looing Jansen for six. A handful of singles.

14th over: India 108-4 (Kohli 44, Dube 1) A perfect lofted drive for six from Axar, high elbow, wham bam slam. But an innings cut off in its prime.

13th over: India 96-3 (Kohli 40, Axar 43) Clever bowling from Nortje, his moustache resting on his top lip. They pause for drinks.

12th over: India 93-3 (Kohli 38, Axar 41) Shamsie, floating left arm, kicking left leg. India milking runs here and there, then Axar powers a flat six and overtakes Kohli.

So much sport on today, but if you’re keeping half an eye on the cricket, do drop me a line. I’ve just realised the email address is wrong on the link so apologies if you’ve sent an unanswered message. Should be : tanya.aldred.freelance@theguardian.com

11th over: India 82-3 (Kohli 39, Axar 29) Axar throws the kitchen sink and utensils at Jansen’s first ball after drinks but only picks up a single. A much better over from Jansen than his first, just six singles and a wide from it

Firdose is always worth a read:

10th over: India 75-3 (Kohli 36, Axar 26) Time for Shamsie, yellow napkin tucked into the back of his waistband. Starts with a wide. In the dug-out, Hardik Pandya gives Rahul Dravid a neck massage. Excellent running from India and similarly super fielding in the deep from South Africa. Time for DRINKS!

9th over: India 69-3 (Kohli 31, Axar 25) The slim figures of Maharaj – practitioner of cricket for both Lancashire and Yorkshire. India play tip and run then Axar pulls out the slog sweep – clean crisp hitting into the crowd. Kohli gives him the thumbs up, tattoos runnings up his forearm to his glove.

8th over: India 59-3 (Kohli 29, Axar 18) Axar takes on Markram, hearts in mouth as he drops to his knee and sweeps high and (just) over the fielder on the rope for six. A man in an Indian shirt blows a conch and vuvuzelas blurt and warble. The current score predictor is 159.

7th over: India 49-3 (Kohli 27, Axar 10) Nortje, upright run up, hands close together as if he’s playing cats’ cradle. Markram, in shades, runs to give instruction. Kohli looks left, looks right. Four single.

6th over: India 45-3 (Kohli 25, Axar 8) Power play survived. Now what?

“Hi Tanya, this is quite the start! India out of the blocks like a train but SA doing what they had to really, which is early wickets. And India’s middle order exposed early. Great fielding and all of a sudden it’s the pressure of billions looming large. But then what is a competitive total, 140? 150? India don’t need to keep the foot down as much as not panic. Game on! “

Well, exactly!

5th over: India 39-3 (Kohli 22, Axar 5 ) India have lost their top firepower before the end of the power play. A roar from the crowd when the promoted Axar clips his first ball for four – but it is a muted one. As if someone suddenly dropped a bucket of soapy water over the stands.

4th over: India 32-2 (Kohli 21, Suryakumar 2) All eyes now on Kohli, whose world cup has been a tepid one up until now. Maharaj is alert and eyes wide, but drops wide a couple of times and Kohli tucks in – four flying through the covers.

3rd over: India 26-2 (Kohli 15, Suryakumar 2) Suryakumar dices with danger after sending the ball floating just over mid-on to get off the mark.

2nd over: India 23-w (Kohli 14, Suryakumar 0) Maharaj’s first two balls go for four as Rohit continues on his merry way and this looks very much India’s party. But – no. A misjudgement as Rohit sweeps and picks out the fielder and two balls later the sweep does for Pant as well.

1st over: India 15-0 (Rohit 1, Kohli 14) Rohit gobbles a single off the first ball, then Kohli opens the face and drives Jansen for four off the second. Four more again, clipped off his hip as Jansen loses his line. And one more four for luck, straight down the ground, bisecting the chasing fielders and just beating them into the boundary boards.

Both sides are unchanged, Kohli and Sharma are in the middle, the pitch 22 yards of honey sheen. Marco Jansen throws the ball to himself at the top of his run up. Ready? Here we go…

A couple of cracking anthems, but one is better supported than the other from within the crowd, which is largely blue shirted Indian supporters.

The trophy is carried out by the prime minster of Barbados Mia Mottley in a yellow shirt and Chris Gayle in a black beret. And here come the anthems!

A reminder that neither team has yet lost a match in this competition. Nasser Hussain takes a peek at pitch which is not the crazy paving of the SA-Afghanistan game, more smooth, hard honey. No grass to be seen.

Want the pro’s tip? Mark Ramprakash has plumped for Bumrah-fuelled India. “When he comes back for the last couple of overs at the death, I mean, where do you start on how to play him? You can’t go around playing ramp shots because of his slower-ball variations, and his quick ball is really quick. He’s surrounded by good bowlers, but he is India’s X factor.”

A great piece on the man who is the S in cricket’s DLS system:

A gorgeous photo essay to enjoy with your coffee: