SA v IND, 1st ODI: Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan architect India’s first ODI win in South Africa in 5 years

A young Indian side stepped up and delivered big in the first of a 3-match ODI series on Pink Day at the iconic Wanderers in Johannesburg.

India took a 1-0 lead in the series after hammering the Proteas by 8 wickets in a low-scoring match. Arshdeep Singh was the star of the show as the left-arm pacer scripted history by becoming the first Indian pacer to pick up a 5-wicket haul vs South Africa in the 50-over format of the game. Avesh Khan shone with 4 wickets as India pacers ran riot on a spicy Wanderers pitch that took Aiden Markram’s men by surprise.

On debut, Sai Sudharsan, the 22-year-old Tamil Nadu batter, flaunted his elegance as he hit a fifty on his ODI debut. Sai Sudharsan rode his luck, but showcased he is ready for the big league with a well-paced 55 not out.

India chased down 117 in just 16.4 overs as they dominated South Africa with both ball and bat. It was India’s first win in South Africa in an ODI match since February 2018 as they were blanked 3-0 by South Africa in 2022 in an ODI series.

India lost Ruturaj Gaikwad early in their chase, but young Sai Sudharsan, who has been earmarked for more glory at the highest level, showcased his composure. He got off the mark with a cracking cover drive against fellow debutant Nandre Burger, who missed an LBW appeal against the left-hander. Sai looked comfortable on a pace-rich pitch at the Wanderers on which most South African batters struggled. The left-hander played along the V and got on top of the ball whenever it was pitched short in a fine display of batting.

Sai Sudharsan hit 9 boundaries for his 55 as he became only the 4th Indian opener after KL Rahul, Faiz Fazal and Robin Uthappa to score 50 or more on his ODI debut.

Shreyas Iyer, who will be released from the ODI squad after opener to prepare for the Test series, made the most of the opportunity as he he hit a dominant 52. Iyer struggled for timing at the start, but he took off and never looked back as India chased down the target with 200 balls to spare.

ARSHDEEP SCRIPTS HISTORY, AVESH SHINES
Arshdeep Singh won the Player of the Match award for his figures of 5 for 37 as he became the first Indian pacer to pick up a 5-wicket haul against South Africa in ODIs. Avesh Khan shone and just fell one short of his 5-wicket haul as he ended up with 4 for 27.

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat on a used pitch (one that was used for the 3rd T20I on Thursday) and Aiden Markram pointed out that that pitch might get slower as the day went on.

However, not many, including India captain KL Rahul, expected the pitch to be as fast and bouncy as it was in the opening few hours of the match.

Arshdeep ran through the top-order, picking up as many as 4 wickets in his first spell. He got the big wickets of Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen in successive deliveries and castled in-form Heinrich Klaasen with a ripper of an in-swinger.

South Africa were reeling at 52 for 4 at the end of 10 overs and it only got worse from there as Avesh Khan did not miss a beat with his performance with the ball. Avesh began proceedings by getting the big wicket of captain Markram for 2.

Avesh hit the final nail in South Africa’s coffin with the big wicket of David Miller before Andile Phehlukwayo swung his bat around and got them past 100. South Africa were bundled out for 116, their lowest total in Johannesburg in ODIs.

The two teams will meet in the 2nd ODI Gqeberha on Tuesday, December 19.