India’s Avesh Khan took 4 wickets against South Africa
Arshdeep Singh made a striking entry into ODI cricket, claiming a five-wicket haul, while Avesh Khan complemented with four wickets as South Africa slumped to their lowest-ever score of 116 against India at the Wanderers. This marked South Africa’s lowest score at home in an ODI match.
Arshdeep swiftly took three early wickets, unsettling South Africa, who lost four wickets within the initial 10 overs. Avesh added to their miseries, snatching two consecutive wickets in the 11th over, resulting in South Africa losing their top six in just over 10 overs. Despite Andile Phehlukwayo’s efforts to resist, Avesh and Arshdeep continued their dominance, both securing four wickets.
Arshdeep ultimately dismissed Phehlukwayo for 33 off 49 balls to complete his five-wicket haul. However, it was Kuldeep Yadav who claimed the final South African wicket, concluding the host’s innings. India now requires 117 runs to claim a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bat first at the Wanderers.
With KL Rahul returning as captain, India is shifting focus from the World Cup setback with its comprehensive tour of South Africa. Following Suryakumar Yadav’s guidance that led a Rohit Sharma-less Team India to level the series in the shortest format, Rahul aims to secure India’s first-ever ODI series win against the hosts.
The series opener will take place at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday. India might delay the return of opener Ruturaj Gaikwad in the playing XI, while the debut of finisher Rinku Singh in ODI cricket against South Africa is highly anticipated. India continues to miss the contributions of veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the white-ball series.
The visiting team is also without the services of pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. While Bumrah and Siraj are set to feature in the Test series, experienced campaigner Shami is ruled out of the entire South Africa tour. Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh will lead India’s fast-bowling attack.
Furthermore, India boasts experienced spinners in its ODI lineup. The spin department features Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal. In previous encounters against South Africa, the hosts clinched comfortable series victories in ODIs. South Africa emerged victorious with series wins of 2-0 and 3-0 against the Indian team in the 2013-14 and 2021-22 campaigns, respectively.
This series against South Africa marks a crucial juncture for India, especially with the absence of key players. The absence of stalwarts like Kohli and Sharma presents a significant challenge, but it also offers an opportunity for newer talents to shine and prove their mettle on the international stage.
The Men in Blue are counting on the depth of their squad, showcasing emerging talents and relying on the experience of players like KL Rahul to guide the team. The absence of seasoned bowlers like Bumrah and Shami is noticeable, but it provides a platform for rising stars like Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh to demonstrate their capabilities and make their mark.
On the spin front, the trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal presents a formidable challenge for the opposition. Their ability to control the middle overs and take crucial wickets can be a game-changer for India. Looking back at their previous encounters, India will be keen to rectify their past performances against South Africa, particularly in the ODI format.
The Proteas have a history of dominance against the Indian team in ODI series, and India is determined to reverse that trend and secure a significant victory on this tour. The upcoming matches in the series will test India’s resilience and adaptability, especially in the absence of key players.
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