India vs South Africa: Sai Sudharsan arrives at big stage, Arshdeep Singh's five-fer and other takeaways from 1st ODI

A new-look Team India got the better of South Africa to begin the three-match ODI series on a winning note in Johannesburg on Sunday. Before the series, the focus had been on youngsters and how they would perform for the Men in Blue in overseas conditions.

India, led by KL Rahul, took up the challenge with open arms, so much so that Arshdeep Singh (5/37) and Avesh Khan (4/27) would help them rattle the Proteas out for 116. In reply, Shreyas Iyer (52) and Sai Sudharsan (55 not out) made light work of the chase as India won with eight wickets to spare.

We now take a look at key takeaways from the first South Africa-India ODI:

Sai Sudharsan arrives in style

He had proven his mettle with Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and an international debut was just in the horizon for 22-year-old Sai Sudharsan.

Sublime, silken strokes characterised .@sais_1509's debut innings of 55* (43) in difficult conditions, against #SouthAfrica's vaunted pace attack.

He looks like one for the future already!

Tune-in to the 2nd #SAvIND ODI
DEC 19, 4.30 PM | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/fGIl1SdHQY

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 17, 2023

India may have just begun their experimentation towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is still four years away, but it’s important to get certain aspects of the team right. Sunday proved that Sai Sudharsan’s audition for the openers’ role was one of those right things for the Men in Blue.

Sudharsan lost his partner Ruturaj Gaikwad at the other end as early as in the fourth over, but the youngster from Chennai seemed unperturbed. He opened his account in international cricket with a boundary, driving through the covers with an open face of the bat. Those extra cover drives were a thing of beauty from Sai Sudharsan and he would go onto reach his fifty off 41 balls.

Sudharsan was involved in an 88-run stand with Shreyas Iyer for the second wicket, something that would set the platform for India’s seamless victory.

Arshdeep Singh finally delivers

For a considerable amount of time, while Arshdeep Singh has been pipped to become India’s premier death bowler in the future, he had been struggling with line and lengths of his deliveries, especially in T20Is.

W W W W W! 🔥

A record-breaking spell from #ArshdeepSingh as he becomes the first Indian pacer to claim a fifer in South Africa! 🙌🏻

Tune-in to the 2nd #SAvIND ODI
DEC 19, 4.30 PM | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/yPObbkgMY1

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 17, 2023

Once again, Arshdeep did struggle with his lines and lengths of his bowling, delivering a few wides, but for a large part of his spell, Arshdeep had everything in control.

Arshdeep struck twice in the second over of the contest, cleaning up Reeza Hendricks and trapping Rassie van der Dussen off consecutive balls. Arshdeep then continued bowling his inswinger, before dismissing Tony de Zorzi and Heinrich Klaasen in the eighth and 10th overs respectively.

Fast forward to the 24th over, Arshdeep was hit by Andile Phehlukwayo for a six after his short ball ploy did not work on this occasion. However, just a couple of overs later, Arshdeep would get his revenge, trapping Phehlukwayo lbw with a full length ball on off stump, that eventually saw the 24-year-old get his maiden five-for in ODIs.

Andile Phehlukwayo resistance

South Africa endured a disastrous start to their innings after electing to bat first. There was hardly any intent from their batters including skipper Aiden Markram, and if it wasn’t for Andile Phehlukwayo’s resistance, the Proteas could have been dismissed for an even lesser total.

Phehlukwayo came into bat at number eight following the dismissal of Wiaan Mulder in the 11th over. Avesh Khan was on a hat-trick but wasn’t able to complete the coveted feat. Phehlukwayo, meanwhile, had his moments. He would hit Mukesh Kumar for consecutive boundaries in the 16th over and five overs later, he would punish the India pacer again with a four, followed by a six over deep square leg.

While there would have been a glimpse of hope that the Proteas would cross 150, Phehlukwayo was eventually dismissed by Arshdeep in the 26th over. For South Africa and their fans, watching Phehlukwayo punish the opposition was fun while it lasted.

Effective Kuldeep Yadav

Many might feel Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers, but if there was someone who bowled in a very disciplined manner, it would be Kuldeep Yadav.

In just 2.3 overs, Kuldeep Yadav registered figures of 1/3. It’s his bowling variations that are game-defining very often and same was the case on Sunday.

On a day when Indian pacers dominated proceedings, Kuldeep ensured that South Africa’s run-rate was in check after having been introduced only in the 23rd over. He kept decimiating Andile Phehlukwayo with a few flighted deliveries, before taking on Nandre Burger, whom he would clean up with a googly in the 28th over.

Despite the minimal role and being overshadowed by the pacers, Kuldeep was simply sensational on Sunday with his impeccable rhythm of deliveries.