Sai Sudharsan made his ODI debut memorable as India beat South Africa by eight wickets in the opening One-Day International at the Wanderers on Sunday. Sudharsan remained unbeaten on 55 after the Indian bowling unit led by Arshdeep Singh bowled out South Africa for just 116 runs in 27.3 overs.
After the home team elected to bat first on a wicket offering pace and bounce to the quicks, Avesh Khan returned figures of 4 for 27 in his eight overs while Arshdeep picked 5 wickets for just 37 in 10 overs.
India lost Ruturaj Gaikwad (5 off 10 balls) early in the run chase but Sai Sudharsan found a dependable partner in the experienced Shreyas Iyer (52) to sail home comfortably.
Sudharsan looked elegant and upright while driving on the up and looked strong off the back-foot while pulling the short ball. Against spinners, he put a big stride forward, which is hallmark of a good player. The on-drive off Tabraiz Shamsi was a treat for the eyes.
KL Rahul's India chased down the target in 16.4 overs for the loss of two wickets.
Arshdeep would get more credit as he blew away the top-order within the first Powerplay with four wickets and then left it to Avesh, who bowled fast and full, hurrying the batters for pace.
Having gone into the match without a single wicket in his previous three ODI appearances, Arshdeep more than made up for it with his maiden five-wicket haul.
In between, Avesh would slip in the occasional short ball for the tailenders, who were in two minds whether to go on the front foot or back-foot.
It started with Reeza Hendricks (0), who dragged a delivery that was angled across the right-hander back onto the stumps and the dangerous Rassie van de Dussen (0) must have expected an away-going one but got one that darted back from the middle-stump.
Tony de Zorzi (28 off 22 balls) chanced his arms and Mukesh Kumar (0/46 in 7 overs), who had an off-day, went for a few before Arshdeep showed his variation by digging one short and the ball ballooned for skipper Rahul to complete an easy catch.
However, the wicket that completely broke the home team's back was Heinrich Klaasen's (6) dismissal, which would have even made the great Wasim Akram proud.
Arshdeep bowled one slightly back of length but flicked his wrists in a manner that turned into a vicious in-dipper which clipped the leg stump bail, leaving the right-hander in a complete daze.
The end of Powerplay didn't end Proteas' woes as skipper Markram played on, completely beaten for pace. David Miller (2) also fell prey to relentless pressure to a delivery pitched on drivable length while Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj found the speed of deliveries too hot to handle.
Brief Scores: South Africa: 116 all out in 27.3 overs (Tony de Zorzi 28, Andile Phehlukwayo 33; Arshdeep Singh 5/37, Avesh Khan 4/27). India: 117 for 2 in 16.4 overs (Sai Sudharsan 55 not out, Shreyas Iyer 52).
- With PTI inputs
