India won the three-match ODI series against South Africa 2-1 despite suffering a heavy defeat in the second game. Here are the five key takeaways from the series.
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India had named a relatively young squad for the ODI series with several seniors rested to prepare for the Tests. They started the series on a brilliant note, winning the first game by a record margin with 200 balls remaining.
The second game saw a reversal of fortunes as South Africa trumped India by eight wickets, while they pulled the third game back from the brink thanks to four wickets from Arshdeep Singh. Here are the five key takeaways from the series.
South Africa have a new star in Tony de Zorzi
Tony de Zorzi was the standout South Africa batter from the series, scoring his first ODI hundred in the second match and following up with an 81 to announce his arrival. The 26-year-old left-handed opening batter was the captain of the South Africa U19 team in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup but only made his senior international debut earlier this year. In Gqebehra, de Zorzi scored a patient 119 not out off 122 balls to take South Africa home in a middling chase, while in the third, he gave them a fast start and then anchored the innings before a middle order collapse left his efforts in isolation. In him, South Africa have found a youngster they can invest upon heavily for the future.
India’s top order batting reserves are endless
If South Africa found a top order batting star, India saw glimpses of two. Sai Sudharsan scored two consecutive half-centuries in his first two ODIs, while Rajat Patidar, debuting in the third game of the series, played some eye-catching shots before perishing. India already have a plethora of top-order batting talent who are struggling to find game time in a full strength team. This series gave them two more options in the form of Sudharsan and Patidar, who we might see more of in the next few years.
Arshdeep is a solid ODI prospect
Arshdeep Singh has been having an indifferent time in T20Is lately. Coming into this series, he had played only three ODIs and had not picked up a single wicket. His very first over in the series, however, fetched him two as he adapted nicely to the demands of the format. Having shot to fame through the IPL and developed into a first-choice T20I bowler, Arshdeep displayed that he has much to offer and can be a bright ODI prospect as well going forward. His four wickets in Paarl were decisive in India winning the series. India have been in search of a left-arm seamer in ODI cricket for long and this series might just have ended their search.
Nandre Burger is the real deal
Nandre Burger caught the attention of people when he made his debut during the T20I series that preceded the ODIs. A tall left-arm seamer clocking upwards of 90 miles per hour – naturally there was immediate interest, and he didn’t disappoint. Through the course of three ODIs, Burger took five wickets at an average of 25.8 and an economy rate of 5.23. He swung the new ball, generated rapid pace, and managed to bag an IPL deal in the middle of the series as well. The last time India toured South Africa, another South Africa left-arm seamer had announced his arrival in international cricket: Marco Jansen. This time, it is turn of Burger.
End of the road for Yuzvendra Chahal?
After being sidelined for the Asia Cup and the World Cup, as well as the two T20I series that followed, Yuzvendra Chahal was finally selected for the South Africa ODIs. However, he didn’t feature in a single game despite India resting Kuldeep Yadav, their lead spinner, in the third ODI. Chahal’s last ODI appearance came in January 2023 and his last T20I appearance came in August. There’s a high chance this could be the beginning of the end for Chahal’s ODI career.
