Picture : BCCI / X
New Look India under K L Rahul came out with a fine all – round show to beat South Africa by 8 wickets and take 1-0 lead in the three- match series.
The stars for India were – Seamers Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan who helped skittle South Africa out for 116 . In batting Sai Sudharsan scored an unbeaten 55 on debut to help India romp home in emphatic way.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat but the decision proved disastrous as they were bowled out for their lowest total on home soil in the 50-over format.
Arshdeep Singh picked up 5/37 runs in his 10 overs and Khan took 4/27 in eight as they bowled a wicket-to-wicket line that had seven of the South African batters either bowled or dismissed leg before wicket.
All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo offered some resistance for the hosts with 33 from 49 balls before he became Singh’s fifth and final victim.
“The plan was to keep it simple,” Singh said after his first ODI in more than a year. “I hadn’t opened my account in One-Day Internationals having played three games before this, so to get a five-for is really special.
India were positive in their chase and reached their target in 16.4 overs with exactly 200 balls to spare. Debutant left-handed opener Sudharsan scored an elegant 55 not out in 43 balls, including nine fours.
He was supported by Shreyas Iyer, who was caught with victory in sight having scored 52 from 45 balls.
