IND vs SA 1st ODI Highlights : India Crush South Africa by 8 Wickets, Sudharsan and Arshdeep Shine.

IND vs SA 1st ODI Highlights –

IND vs SA 1st ODI : India started their ODI series against South Africa with a bang, as they thrashed the hosts by eight wickets in the first match at Lucknow. Chasing a modest target of 250, India romped home with 10 overs to spare, thanks to a brilliant century by opener Sudharsan and a fiery cameo by debutant Arshdeep. Earlier, South Africa were restricted to 249 for 4 in 40 overs, after the match was reduced due to rain. Here are the highlights of the match :

Sudharsan slams maiden ton, Arshdeep smashes 32 off 11 –

India’s chase got off to a shaky start, as they lost Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli cheaply. Rohit was caught behind off Lungi Ngidi, while Kohli was trapped lbw by Tabraiz Shamsi. India were 51 for 2 in the 12th over, and needed a solid partnership to get back on track. That’s when Sudharsan and Shreyas Iyer joined forces, and put on a masterclass of batting. Sudharsan, who was playing his 10th ODI, showed great composure and skill, as he mixed caution with aggression. He played some elegant shots on both sides of the wicket, and reached his maiden ODI fifty in 47 balls. Iyer, on the other hand, was more aggressive, as he took on the South African bowlers with ease. He hit six fours and two sixes in his 37-ball 50, and added 103 runs with Sudharsan for the third wicket.

The partnership was broken by Andile Phehlukwayo, who had Iyer caught at deep midwicket. India still needed 96 runs from 18 overs, and South Africa sensed a chance to put some pressure. But their hopes were dashed by Arshdeep, who walked in at number five, and unleashed a stunning assault. The 21-year-old left-hander, who was making his ODI debut, showed no nerves, as he smashed four fours and three sixes in his 11-ball 32. He hit Kagiso Rabada for three consecutive boundaries in the 29th over, and then took 20 runs off Ngidi in the next over. He finished the match with a six over long-on, and celebrated with Sudharsan, who remained unbeaten on 102 off 94 balls. India reached 250 for 2 in 30 overs, and won by eight wickets with 60 balls remaining.

South Africa struggle to post 249 for 4 in 40 overs

South Africa, who won the toss and opted to bat, had a tough time against the Indian bowlers, who exploited the conditions well. The match was delayed by rain, and reduced to 40 overs per side. South Africa lost their openers Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram early, as they were dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur respectively. Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen then steadied the innings, and added 79 runs for the third wicket. Bavuma played a captain’s knock, as he scored 52 off 61 balls, with four fours and a six. Van der Dussen was more fluent, as he hit seven fours and two sixes in his 63-ball 65.

However, both of them fell in quick succession, as they were removed by Kuldeep Yadav and Thakur respectively. South Africa were 161 for 4 in the 31st over, and needed a big finish to post a competitive total. That’s when David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen came to the rescue, and launched a counter-attack.

The duo added 88 runs in the last nine overs, and took the score to 249 for 4. Miller was the more aggressive of the two, as he smashed 75 not out off 63 balls, with five fours and four sixes. Klaasen was equally effective, as he scored 74 not out off 65 balls, with six fours and three sixes. They hit 20 runs off the last over, bowled by Bumrah, and gave some momentum to their team.

IND vs SA 1st ODI : India’s bowlers impress, Thakur picks two wickets

India’s bowlers did a commendable job, as they kept the South African batsmen in check for most of the innings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah bowled with discipline and accuracy, and gave away only 35 and 52 runs respectively in their eight overs. Bumrah also bowled a maiden over, and was unlucky not to get a wicket.

Shardul Thakur was the pick of the bowlers, as he took two wickets for 35 runs in his eight overs. He also bowled a maiden over, and broke two crucial partnerships. Kuldeep Yadav was the only other wicket-taker, as he dismissed van der Dussen for 65. He conceded 39 runs in his eight overs, and bowled with good control. Ravi Bishnoi, who was also making his ODI debut, was expensive, as he gave away 64 runs in his eight overs. However, he bowled with a lot of heart, and troubled the batsmen with his variations.

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