Team India pacers Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh were the toast of Men in Blue’s thumping win in the first ODI of the three-match series against South Africa which was played in Johannesburg on December 17, 2023.
India was asked to chase a paltry target of 117 runs after Arshdeep Singh’s 5/37 and Avesh Khan’s 4 wickets routed South Africa for 116 runs inside 30 overs after Aiden Markram had won the toss and chosen to bat first.
Then, thanks to debutant Sai Sudharsan’s 55* and Shreyas Iyer’s fifty, India won by 8 wickets and went 1-0 up in the series.
Arshdeep with 5/37 became the first Indian pacer to take a fifer against South Africa in ODIs. In a chat with Avesh Khan for the BCCI TV after the match, Arshdeep recalled a photoshoot with Avesh on the eve of the first ODI, saying it gave them motivation to do well on the field the following day.
"It felt very nice. The photoshoot that I did with you yesterday, I got a lot of motivation from that, boost from that. I was determined to do well today. If you hear this, you will think I am making stories. But before going to sleep yesterday, I visualized that I would get 5 wickets and would celebrate. I am thinking good things, I am in a good mindset. I am in constant touch with the support staff,” Arshdeep said in the BCCI video.
On the other hand, Avesh Khan said that his job was made easier by Arshdeep Singh, who had picked two wickets in the opening over itself.
"My job became easier after you started it. I had to just hit the right lengths and lines and I still got 4 wickets after you got 4. It feels very nice that two brothers, who always keep hanging around together and roaming around together, it felt very nice that we shared 9 wickets together. We talk about cricket whenever we are together, we talk about field placings, and what to bowl to different batters. It felt nice," Avesh Khan said.
The visitors will be looking to take an unbeatable lead in the series when the two sides meet in the second ODI in Gqeberha on Tuesday, December 19.
