India clinched a convincing eight-wicket victory over South Africa in the opening one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Arshdeep claimed an impressive five wickets for 37 runs, while Avesh contributed four wickets for 27 runs, restricting South Africa to a mere 116 all-out.
In pursuit of the target, debutants Sai Sudharsan and Shreyas Iyer both notched half-centuries as India reached the required total in just 16.4 overs. Indian captain KL Rahul, anticipating a spin-dominated pitch, praised his pace bowlers for adapting to the conditions and delivering a remarkable performance.
Despite expecting more assistance for spinners, only Kuldeep Yadav was utilised, taking the final wicket. South African captain Aiden Markram acknowledged the unexpected seam movement and credited the Indian bowlers for exploiting the conditions effectively.
India’s depth and adaptability were evident as they dominated the match despite missing key players, including their primary fast bowlers, in preparation for an upcoming Test series starting on December 26. Arshdeep and Avesh, stepping up in the absence of frontline bowlers, played a pivotal role in India’s triumph.
Arshdeep’s early strikes set the tone, dismissing Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen in the second over. With substantial lateral movement on offer, Arshdeep claimed the first four wickets in a seven-over spell, while Avesh followed suit with the next four wickets.
In response, South Africa’s bowling appeared thin, struggling to defend the second-lowest total at the Wanderers in ODIs. Sudharsan, making his international debut, showcased finesse with an unbeaten 55 off 43 balls, guiding India to victory.
Both teams made significant changes to their lineups, reflecting the demands of a packed international schedule. Rahul emphasised the necessity of rotation and expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to deliver.
The second match of the three-game series is scheduled for Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) on Tuesday, followed by the third encounter in Paarl two days later. The focus then shifts to the Test series, commencing at Centurion on December 26.
