Team India started the three-match ODI sequence in advantageous vogue with their greatest win against South Africa in the format (in phrases of balls remaining) as they tracked down a paltry goal of 117 inside 16.4 overs after Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan ran riot with the ball in Johannesburg in the Pink ODI on Sunday, December 17. Shreyas Iyer and debutant Sai Sudharsan slammed fifties because the Men in Blue chased the full down with out a lot problem to take a 1-0 lead in the sequence.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram determined to bat first trying on the floor, nonetheless, it proved to be a great toss to lose for India contemplating the lateral motion their younger pacers Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan utilising it to the fullest. There was a little bit of help and each the pacers, Arshdeep particularly ran riot with the transferring ball by eradicating the highest 4 contained in the powerplay.
Arshdeep first cleaned up Reeza Hendricks earlier than trapping Rassie van Der Dussen LBW on the very subsequent supply. Tony de Zorzi tried his bit by going the aggressive route as he smashed a few sixes and as many boundaries earlier than skying one up in the air for skipper KL Rahul to take it with out a lot hassle. Soon Arshdeep accounted for hazard man Heinrich Klaasen because the Proteas had been 4 down for 52.
After the powerplay, it was Avesh Khan’s flip to inflict extra distress on the Proteas. Avesh had three wickets together with the massive ones of skipper Aiden Markram and David Miller inside 12 balls as South Africa had been 58/7. Andile Phelukwayo strung little partnerships with Keshav Maharaj and Nandre Burger to take the Proteas to 116 earlier than Arshdeep acquired his maiden five-wicket haul for India in worldwide cricket and Kuldeep Yadav completed the innings.
The goal was by no means going to be difficult for India and although South Africa acquired an early wicket in the type of Ruturaj Gaikwad, debutant Sai Sudharsan and one in all India’s World Cup 2023 heroes Shreyas Iyer did not let the hosts have a sniff.
The duo stitched an 88-run stand for the second wicket and each reached their half-centuries. Sai turned solely the fourth Indian opener to rating 50-plus on ODI debut earlier than Iyer fell in a bid to end the sport shortly. Sai then accomplished the formalities as India took a 1-0 lead in the sequence.
Iyer will now play a 3-day recreation in preparation for the Test sequence which could imply a debut for Rajat Patidar or Rinku Singh in the second ODI in Gqeberha on Tuesday, December 19 as India look to seal the sequence.
