South Africa and India clashed in the first ODI of the three-match series on December 17, 2023, in Johannesburg. This match was played at the same venue where the third and final T20I was played a couple of days back.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bat first and revealed that Nandre Burger was making his ODI debut. India stand-in captain KL Rahul also revealed that Sai Sudharsan was making his ODI debut for India as well.
Arshdeep Singh looked deadly from the start, removing Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen for ducks in the first over itself. The hosts didn’t have any respite as Avesh Khan also bowled with fire and picked wickets at the other hand.
Arshdeep Singh continued picking wickets as he removed Tony de Zorzi for 28 runs. Then Avesh Khan took the wickets of Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, and David Miller in quick succession.
Andile Phehlukwayo made 33 runs as South Africa managed only 116 runs. Arshdeep Singh, who had picked no wickets in his first three ODIs for India, finished with 5/37 in this encounter. Avesh Khan also took 4/27 and Kuldeep Yadav picked one wicket.
“Was trying to keep it simple. Hadn't opened my account in ODIs. Great to start with a fifer. The wicket was helpful. When we had a chat, we thought there wouldn't be much movement. We spoke earlier that there wouldn't be much movement but we were surprised, there was a breeze too so the plan was to keep it wicket to wicket and look for lbw/bowled. Adaptability is the key for us as bowlers.
Proud to represent the country and do the job. It was quite hot as well. I'm playing the 50-over format after a long time, so it was difficult but I'm feeling fresh after the fifer. Even we thought so (that the pitch was abrasive) but there was some moisture in the wicket, so the ball remained fairly new,” Arshdeep Singh told the broadcasters after the South Africa innings.
Arshdeep Singh is the first Indian pacer to take a fifer against South Africa in ODIs. Overall, he is the fourth bowler to take a five-wicket haul against SA in ODIs for India.
Other Indians to take fifers in ODIs against South Africa are Sunil Joshi (5/6 in 1999), Yuzvendra Chahal (5/22 in 2018) and Ravindra Jadeja (5/33 in 2023).
(ANI inputs)
