India made an excellent start to the ODI series against South Africa as they registered a statement eight-wicket win against the hosts at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The contest on Sunday (Dec 17) saw Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan run riot as they scalped nine wickets between them and helped India skittle out South Africa on 116, their third-lowest ODI total against India. In reply, India reached the total in 16.2 overs as debutant Sai Sudharsan (unbeaten 55) and Shreyas Iyer (52) ended with fifties as the visitors now lead the three-match ODI series 1-0.  

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India dominate with ball

Asked to bowl first, the 24-year-old was at his fluent best from is first over when he got the better of Reeza Hendricks (0). He would then follow that with Rassie van der Dussen’s wicket on the very next ball and was on a hat-trick as the Proteas batter returned without troubling the scorers. His exploits with the ball saw the hosts narrowed down 3/2 in the second over as India stamped their authority in the contest.

The left-hand pacer would later get the better of Tony de Zorzi (28), Heinrich Klaasen (6) and Andile Phehlukwayo (33) to complete his five-for. This was also Arshdeep’s first five-for at the international level as he continues his impressive run in the team.

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Avesh on the other hand was also in great touch as he ended with figures of 27/4 and missed out on the five-for. Kuldeep Yadav got his solitary wicket in the form of Nandre Burger (7) as the hosts were bowled out in a one-sided contest.

The two teams will next meet on Tuesday (Dec 19) at St George’s Park in Gqeberha as India stand an opportunity to seal the series. India were beaten 3-0 in 2022 during their last visit to the Rainbow Nation. India will also keep an eye on the proceedings in the bowling department as one of Arshdeep or Avesh could be called in for the Test series as a replacement for injured Mohammed Shami.

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