Indian pace bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan did well in the first ODI against South Africa. They picked up nine wickets between them as the Indian team bowled out South Africa for 116 runs to register an eight-wicket win on Sunday. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was impressed with Arshdeep and Avesh’s inspired spells in the first ODI.
Manjrekar opined that while Arshdeep and Avesh have been stunning in domestic cricket, he was happy to see that both of them found their form at the international level in the same game as well.
He added, “11 ODIs between the three, it tells you about how not weak, but this was clearly the second line of India’s seam bowling with regards to experience,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo. “Just very, very happy to see Avesh Khan and Arsdheep Singh, who had lost their way a little bit at the international level, have found their basic bowling style and how they would pick wickets at the IPL and domestic level before they faced the harsh reality of international cricket. I hope they continue to do what they did in this match.”
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“Arshdeep, just pitching the ball up, getting it to swing, and maybe at the most, we saw a short-of-a-length ball. Avesh Khan as well, keeping it simple. I am glad both of them, who were searching for a performance like this at the international level, found it in the same game.” he further added.
However, Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan made headlines in the first ODI against South Africa, picking up five and four wickets, respectively. South Africa were ultimately bowled out for a paltry score of 116, their lowest total in a home ODI as well. Meanwhile, India chased down the target in just 16.4 overs, on the back of debutant Sai Sudharsan’s unbeaten half-century.
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“This is the third occasion. We saw them get about 80-odd against India at the Eden Gardens at the World Cup. 96 in the last T20I, and 116 here. So, that is actually a big story.”What is happening with South Africa in home conditions against a young Indian bowling attack? To be all out for 116 on a pitch where there were no visible signs that it was difficult to bat on,” Sanjay Manjrekar concluded.
