Arshdeep Singh shone with the ball in the first One-Day International (ODI) between India and South Africa on Sunday, December 17 at Johannesburg’s New Wanderers Stadium.
Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen were among the coveted scalps of the left-arm pacer, who finished with career-best numbers of 5/37. His outstanding bowling performance enabled India to dismiss the hosts for 116 runs in 27.3 overs.
Arshdeep had taken just one wicket across two T20Is against South Africa. He also claimed four scalps over four matches in the recent home T20I series with Australia. At 24 years old, he came back without a wicket in his first three ODIs.
Fans on X (previously Twitter) praised Arshdeep Singh’s bowling performance against South Africa in the first ODI. One user commented:
“A spell to remember for Arshdeep Singh forever.”
Here are some more reactions:
Arshdeep Singh opens up on his five-wicket haul in India’s win over South Africa
After taking five wickets in the opening One-Day International against South Africa, Arshdeep Singh showed his happiness. The young player claimed that by maintaining consistency in both his line and length, he took advantage of the pace-friendly circumstances.
“[I] Was trying to keep it simple. Hadn’t opened my account in ODIs. Great to start with a fifer. The wicket was helpful. When we had a chat, we thought there won’t be much movement,” Arshdeep said during the mid-match show.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep continued:
“We spoke earlier that there won’t be much movement, but we were surprised, there was a breeze too, so the plan was to keep it wicket to wicket and look for lbw/bowled. Adaptability is the key for us as bowlers.
“Even we thought so (that the pitch was abrasive) but there was some moisture in the wicket, so the ball remained fairly new.”
Arshdeep Singh
Apart from Arshdeep, Avesh Khan took four wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav was only dismissed once. The Men in Blue will now try to achieve the modest goal and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
