India’s seamers Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan helped skittle South Africa out for 116 before Sai Sudharsan scored an unbeaten 55 on debut as India won the first One-Day International at The Wanderers on Sunday by an eight-wicket margin.
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat, but the choice backfired as they were bowled out for their lowest total on home soil in the 50-over format, falling just short of their previous low of 118 against India in Pretoria in 2018.
Singh got five wickets for 37 runs in 10 overs and Khan took four wickets for 27 runs in eight overs as they bowled a wicket-to-wicket line that saw seven South African hitters bowled or dismissed leg before wicket.
Andile Phehlukwayo provided some resistance for the hosts, scoring 33 off 49 balls before falling to Singh’s fifth and final victim.
“The plan was to keep it simple,” Singh remarked following his first one-day international in almost a year. “I had only played three One-Day Internationals games before this, so getting a five-for is really special.”
“Because the wicket was helping, we tried to stick to the basics and use the proper lengths.”
“Before the game we thought there wouldn’t be much movement, so we were surprised, but there was a nice breeze and some purchase off the wicket, so the plan was to hit the wickets and look for lbws.”
Khan eliminated the middle and lower order to achieve his career-best ODI bowling stats.
India’s chase was good, as they completed their goal in 16.4 overs with precisely 200 balls to spare.
Sudharsan, a debutant left-handed opener, hit an immaculate 55 not out in 43 balls, including nine fours.
He was ably assisted by Shreyas Iyer, who was caught with win in sight after scoring 52 off 45 balls.
The second game of the three-match series will be played on Tuesday at Gqeberha.
Both teams are missing several regular players, who are either injured or resting for the next two-match Test series.
Arshdeep and Avesh annihilate South African batting.
Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan of India bowled South Africa out for 116 in the opening one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.
Left-armer Arshdeep took five for 37 and Avesh four for 27 as they rose to the task of representing an Indian team that featured only three players from the World Cup final last month.
Arshdeep had not taken a wicket in his previous three one-day internationals, while Avesh had only three in his previous five matches.
South African captain Aiden Markram selected to bat on the pitch that was used for a Twenty20 international on Thursday, anticipating the spinners to benefit later in the game.
However, the seamen received substantial aid and took full advantage of it. Arshdeep grabbed the first four wickets in a seven-over spell, and Avesh followed suit with four more in a seven-over performance.
South Africa broke the record for the lowest total in 55 one-day internationals at the Wanderers – 109 by Pakistan against South Africa in 1994/95.
Scores in brief:
South Africa 116 (A. Phehlukwayo 33; Arshdeep Singh 5-37, Avesh Khan 4-27) in 27.3 overs.