India comprehensively won the first ODI of the three-match series against South Africa, thanks to spectacular performances from their inexperienced seam attack.
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Heading into the ODI series, India’s seamers had a combined experience of playing 11 ODIs among them. Given South Africa’s strong record in Johannesburg, particularly in the pink jersey (nine victories out of 11 before this game), India had their task cut out when they were put in the field after losing the toss.
However, the seam attack of Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan responded brilliantly. Mukesh bowled a tight first over to set the tone, which was followed by a double-wicket over by Arshdeep.
The left-arm seamer took the first four South African wickets to fall before Avesh joined the party. Coming in first change, Avesh took the next four wickets in quick succession as South Africa stumbled to 73-8 in the blink of an eye.
The ninth-wicket partnership stuck around for nine overs, the longest any pair spent at the crease for South Africa in the game before Arshdeep claimed his fifth wicket in the form of Andile Phehlukwayo to complete his maiden five-for in international cricket. Kuldeep Yadav cleaned up Nande Burger with a googly to end the South African innings for 116 – their third consecutive sub-120 score against India in ODIs.
In response, Sai Sudharsan, on debut, started with a boundary first ball. Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed cheaply, but Shreyas Iyer and Sudharsan added 88 for the second wicket to take India to safety.
Sudharsan registered the joint third-highest score by an Indian opener on men’s ODI debut as he remained unbeaten on 55 off just 43 balls, having hit nine boundaries.
India finished the chase with exactly 200 balls and eight wickets to spare, making it their third biggest victory in terms of balls remaining in ODIs outside India.
