🏏SA vs India, 1st ODI: At New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 🏏 - Page 20

If we win this ODI then KL Rahul will be first Indian captain to register vistory in SA

We won and how!

Ind won too

India go 1-0 up. They have put up a blockbuster show. This is what you call a shellacking. SA were hammered by India in the WC and this looked like an extension of that. India didn't have Kohli, Sharma, Bumrah, Shami, Jadeja but did it matter? Not at all. India were supreme. SA never arrived. They won the toss and batted. And then Arshdeep put up a superb show. He was backed up in an excellent manner by Avesh and together they picked up 9 wickets with the former picking up a fifer. Phehlukwayo top-scored with 33 but that was too late. He ensured though that they breached the triple digit mark. India wrapped it up inside 28 overs and 117 was never going to be threatening. Sai at the top was making his debut but it never looked like that. Ruturaj fell early to Mulder but Shreyas Iyer walked in and batted positively. Both Sai and Iyer notched up fifties with the latter falling with India needing only 6. Varma came in and just scored a single and that was the final piece of action in the first ODI. India have taken the lead without losing much sweat.

Indian openers to score 50+ runs on ODI debut

86 - Robin Uthappa vs ENG, 2006

100* - KL Rahul vs ZIM, 2016

55* - Faiz Fazal vs ZIM, 2016

55* - Sai Sudharsan vs SA, 2023*

Sai Sudharsan is the 17th Indian to score 50+ runs on ODI debut.

Congrats Sai

Biggest ODI wins for India in terms of balls remaining

263 vs SL, Colombo RPS, 2023 *

231 vs KEN, Bloemfontein, 2001

211 vs WI, Thiruvananthapuram, 2018

200 vs SA, Johannesburg, 2023*

Biggest ODI defeat for South Africa in terms of balls remaining

215 vs ENG, Nottingham, 2008

200 vs IND, Johannesburg, 2023*

188 vs AUS, Sydney, 2002

185 vs IND, Delhi, 2022

Aiden Markram: Tough one. Winning the toss, batting first we would have wanted to bat well. Credit to the Indian bowlers. We were behind from the very first ball. Couldn't recover. We expected it to go around a little bit. In the first 6-7 overs, it does do a bit. Today, it lasted a little longer and they bowled well. Comes down to individuals. It is up to them to assess and then plan it forward. We need to take smart options in a given situation.

Arshdeep Singh, Player of the Match: I feel little sore. Loving this moment. Thank God and the team management. It is a little different than normal grounds as I was running out of breath. Personally it feels good, I am enjoying my role. I would thank KL Rahul bhai as he said you have to come back and get that fifer. I guess it is about enjoying this moment. (On the upcoming matches) When we go there, then focus on what will work there.

KL Rahul: I am happy. Good to have a win under the belt. Completely different to what we expected. The plan was to get the spinners in the game. The boys did really well. The boys did well to stay disciplined. The ball kept moving around. There is a lot of cricket being played. You prioritize one format. For now, it is Tests and T20s. Everyone is performing and trying to do well for the country. Good chance for them to get a taste of international cricket.