India’s rising star Arshdeep Singh was delighted after bagging his maiden five-wicket haul in the first ODI against South Africa at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Sunday. Singh revealed the plan was to hit the right lengths and make the most of the conducive conditions on offer.
South African skipper Aiden Markram decided to bat first after winning the toss but the plan backfired as Arshdeep Singh picked his maiden ODI wicket as Reeza Hendricks chopped the ball back onto his stumps.
On the next ball, Singh plumbed Rassie van der Dussen in front of the wickets and then produced Tony de Zorzi’s top edge, which was easily taken by skipper KL Rahul.
Subsequently, Singh found the gulf between Heinrich Klaasen’s bat and pad to hit the top of leg stump. The left-arm seamer then trapped Andile Phehlukwayo in front of the wickets in his second spell and returned with impressive figures of 5-37 in his quota of 10 overs.
As a result, South Africa was bundled out for a paltry score of 116 runs. Furthermore, Avesh Khan returned with figures of 4-27 in the eight overs he bowled.
Arshdeep Singh said in the mid-innings break while talking to the official broadcaster, “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. 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.”
He added, “Adaptability is the key for us as bowlers. Proud to represent the country and do the job. It was quite hot as well. I’m playing the 50-over format after a long time, so it was difficult but I’m feeling fresh after the fifer. Even we thought so (that the pitch was abrasive) but there was some moisture in the wicket, so the ball remained fairly new.”
After this impressive performance, Singh also became the first Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in ODIs in South Africa.
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