• India registered a resounding eight-wicket victory over South Africa in the opening ODI of the three-match series.

  • Arshdeep Singh was adjudged 'Player of the Match' for his sensational five-wicket haul.

Twitter reactions: Shreyas Iyer and Sai Sudharsan shine with bat after bowler’s masterclass as India thrash South Africa in 1st ODI
India beat South Africa by eight wickets (Image Source: Twitter)

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In a cricketing spectacle at the iconic New Wanderers Stadium, the Indian cricket team displayed absolute dominance in the first ODI against South Africa. The contest saw a brilliant showcase of skills from both bat and ball, with Shreyas Iyer and Sai Sudharsan emerging as the stars for India in batting department.

Bowlers’ masterclass: South Africa’s demise

The day started with the toss going in India’s favor, and they elected to field first. The decision proved to be a masterstroke as the Indian bowling attack wreaked havoc on the Proteas’ batting lineup. The Wanderers Stadium witnessed a monumental collapse as South Africa crumbled for a paltry 116 runs.

Notable contributions from Tony de Zorzi and Andile Phehlukwayo briefly ignited hopes, but Arshdeep Singh emerged as the wrecker-in-chief, claiming an impressive 5-wicket haul. Avesh Khan and Kuldeep Yadav lent valuable support, ensuring that South Africa’s innings never gained momentum.

India’s response: Sai Sudharsan and Shreyas Iyer’s brilliance

Chasing a modest target of 117, India showcased their dominance with the bat. Debutant Sai Sudharsan played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the chase. His composed innings of unbeaten 55 runs set the stage for the more aggressive Shreyas Iyer, who played a blistering knock of 52 runs off 45 balls, guiding India to victory in just 16.4 overs. The Indian team reached 117/2, securing a comprehensive eight-wicket win.

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South Africa’s Bowlers Battle, but target proves insufficient

Wiaan Mulder emerged as the standout bowler for South Africa, claiming a crucial wicket. However, the target of 117 proved to be insufficient to challenge the formidable Indian batting lineup. Despite spirited efforts from Nandre Burger and Phehlukwayo, the Indian batters were relentless in their pursuit of victory.

Arshdeep Singh clinches Player of the Match

Arshdeep’s exceptional performance with the ball earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. His five-wicket haul not only dismantled the South African batting order but also set the tone for India’s commanding victory.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

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About the Author:
VISHWANATH HARIHARAN
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.