ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 biggest surprises from the tournament

#4 South Africa

The Proteas were dumped out of the group stages

The Proteas were understandably one of the pre-tournament favourites along with England and India coming into the tournament ranked as the top ODI side in the ICC rankings. They had probably the deepest batting lineup out of the eight teams and a right balance in their team, at least on paper. This team had the number one batsman and bowler in their ranks but once again the past repeated itself but this time in a very surprising manner.

Captain AB De Villiers and his men started the campaign in the best possible way after beating Sri Lanka in a rather one-sided contest. But the next two games showed the world why they are the perennial underachievers in world cricket.

What could have gone wrong for South Africa went wrong as they succumbed under pressure against India and also had no answers for an inspired Pakistani side! South Africa were the favourites to reach the semis and this side failing to qualify from a relatively easy group on paper came as a big, big surprise.