Team India stand-in captain KL Rahul hailed the players after a clinical 8-wicket triumph over South Africa in the first ODI. The visitors completely outplayed Aiden Markram’s South Africa in all three departments at Johannesburg. It was the Indian pacers who set up the foundation of a massive win as Arshdeep Singh claimed a fifer while Avesh Khan scalped four.
The Proteas batters failed to put up any fight and were bundled out for just 116 in 27.3 overs.
India lost Ruturaj Gaikwad early in the chase, however, Sai Sudharsan (55*) and Shreyas Iyer (52) made it a cakewalk for the visitors with their 88-run stand.
Rahul admitted it was not how they expected the game to turn out as India planned to trouble the hosts’ batters with the spinners but the pacers did the job for them.
“I am happy. Good to have a win under the belt. Completely different to what we expected. The plan was to get the spinners in the game,” Rahul said in the post-match presentation.
Kuldeep Yadav was the only spinner used, taking the last wicket at a cost of three runs in 2.3 overs.
He hailed the pacers for a disciplined performance with the new ball and didn’t allow the South African batters to settle.
“The boys did really well. The boys did well to stay disciplined. The ball kept moving around,” he added.
Rahul further stated that at the moment Tests and T20Is are the priority of the team due to the World Test Championship and T20 World Cup.
“There is a lot of cricket being played. You prioritize one format. For now, it is Tests and T20s. Everyone is performing and trying to do well for the country. Good chance for them to get a taste of international cricket,” he concluded.
South African captain Aiden Markram said there had been more help for the seam bowlers than he anticipated when he won the toss and decided to bat.
“Credit to the Indian bowlers,” he said. “There was a bit of lateral movement and we weren’t able to settle and build partnerships.”
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