India vs South Africa: Arshdeep Singh thanks 'KL Rahul bhai' after opening ODI account with five-for

Arshdeep Singh expressed delight at having finally opened his account with the ball in One-Day Internationals, starring in India’s clinical eight-wicket victory over South Africa in the first ODI with a haul of 5/37.

Arshdeep had not collected a single wicket in three ODIs heading into Sunday’s ‘Pink ODI’ at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium, but made an instant impact with the ball after Proteas skipper Aiden Markram opted to bat. The Punjab Kings left-arm seamer broke the backbone of the South African batting lineup with four powerplay wickets that reduced them to 52/4.

Arshdeep and fellow pacer Avesh Khan shared nine of the 10 South African wickets that fell on the day, bowling them out for a paltry 116. Debutant Sau Sudharsan and Shreyas Iyer then brought up half-centuries and shared an  86-run second-wicket partnership as the Men in Blue made short work of the target, chasing it down with more than 33 overs to spare.

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The 23-year-old also revealed feeling a bit exhausted, having been blissfully unaware that Wanderers is located at a higher altitude and he ran out of breath after the first four overs.

“I was under a bit of pressure because I never took any wicket in ODIs before. Was happy to get a fifth (five-wicket haul). The wicket had purchase early on and the plan was to get some LBWs and bowled,” the left-arm seamer told the broadcasters during the innings break.

Later, while collecting the ‘Player of the Match’ award, Arshdeep thanked his skipper KL Rahul for egging him on to go for the fifth wicket.

“I feel a little sore (now) but loving this moment. Thank God and the team management. It is a little different than the normal grounds as I was running out of breath. I would thank KL Rahul bhai as he said you have to come back and get that fifer. I guess it is about enjoying this moment,” the youngster said.

He had bowled one-change in the recent T20I series and here he looked lethal with the new ball.

The Punjab lad said that his success and that of the team was all about adaptability.

“Personally it feels good, I am enjoying my role. Our team’s main motto is adaptability. Whether I open or bowl first-change, I’m happy representing my country. It was quite hot as well. I was playing a 50-over game after a year. But it all paid off, and after my five-for, I feel very fresh,” he had said at the break.

The team think-tank was sure that there will be turn on offer as the surface looked rough but, to their delight, India got to bowl when there was maximum moisture beneath the surface.

“We thought the surface would be abrasive too but there was a bit of moisture on the surface.”
Skipper KL Rahul was happy that he had finally won as skipper on South African soil. During the last series in 2021-22, Rahul lost the only Test he captained in and was blanked in the ODI series 0-3.

“I lost three ODIs as captain here the last time around. Good to get a win here in South Africa today,” the skipper said.

Rahul also spoke about how he thought the spinners would come into the picture but the two pacers bowled well beyond imagination.

“The plan were to bring the spinners into the game, but there was a lot of help in the wicket early and the boys (pacers) bowled really well.”

Rahul also conceded the teams will undergo a lot of changes in every series because of the sheer volume of cricket being played.

“It’s just how cricket is being played in the last couple of years. You have to rest some players, you prioritise one format every now and then. Now it is T20s and Tests. But we want to take guys who are doing their best. Everyone’s doing well in first-class and IPL too, so good for them to get a taste too.”

With inputs from PTI