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‘Make KL the permanent captain’- Fans react to India’s emphatic win against South Africa in 1st ODI

South Africa vs India 2023-2024

‘Make KL the permanent captain’- Fans react to India’s emphatic win against South Africa in 1st ODI

‘Make KL the permanent captain’- Fans react to India’s emphatic win against South Africa in 1st ODI

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The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg witnessed a dominant display of Indian firepower today as the visitors thrashed South Africa by a commanding 8-wicket margin in the opening match of the three-ODI series. Led by a potent bowling attack and a clinical chase, India sent a strong message early on, putting the Proteas on the back foot in their backyard.

South Africa, opting to bat first, were skittled out for a meagre 116 in just 27.3 overs. The Indian pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan ripped through the Proteas batting lineup, sharing nine wickets between them. Arshdeep Singh was on fire right from the start, dismissing opener Reeza Hendricks and then Rassie van der Dussen for ducks in his very first over. Avesh Khan, too, joined the party, picking up the prized wickets of Aiden Markram and David Miller to leave South Africa reeling. Arshdeep ended with figures of 5-37, his maiden fie-wicket haul in the international arena. Avesh meanwhile, scalped a four-wicket haul, his second such achievement.

Chasing a mere 117, India’s openers, KL Rahul and debutant Sai Sudharsan, started cautiously. Gaikwad was dismissed for just 5 nut Sudharsan made the most of his opportunity, notching up a maiden ODI fifty. Shreyas Iyer too scored a dashing half-century before falling to Andile Phehlukwayo. Tilak Varma hit the winning run in the 17th over to complete the job.

“Loving this moment”

Arshdeep Singh was adjudged the Player of the Match for his sensational performance which made the second innings a mere formality. Speaking after the game, he expressed immense delight on his return and also acknowledged the support of skipper Kl Rahul. “Loing this moment. Thank God and the team management. Personally it feels good. Enjoying my role here. I would thank KL Rahul bhai as he said you have to come back and take a fifer,” he said.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul lauded the efforts of the players but acknowledged that he was surprised as the spinners didn’t have too much of a role in the game. “Completely different to what I expected. The plan was to get the spinners into the game,” he said while speaking to the official broadcaster.

The second ODI of the series will be held on Tuesday, December 19 at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. India will go into that game brimming with confidence while the Proteas will be desperate to turn things around.

Here’s a look at how people reacted to India’s clinical performance on the micro-blogging site, ‘X’:

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