India started the three-match ODI series against South Africa with a massive 8-wicket win in the first ODI of the series. Both teams played this match at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The hosts’ skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and asked his batters to take charge first.
Batting first, the Proteas batting attack completely choked against India’s fierce pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan. Arshdeep Singh claimed a five-wicket haul for India, alongside four wickets scalped by Avesh Khan; the duo helped India to bundle out South Africa just at the score of 116 runs in 27.3 overs.
Apart from Arshdeep and Avesh, star Indian skipper Kuldeep Yadav also picked one wicket to register his name in the list of wicket-takers on the scorecard. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh also became the first-ever Indian pacer to claim a five-wicket haul against South Africa in South Africa.
India batters made it look easy during run-chase
While chasing the target, India comfortably crossed the winning line in 16.4 overs, scoring 117 runs for the loss of just 2 wickets and won the match by a big margin of 8 wickets. The young debutant opener Sai Sudharsan scored an amazing unbeaten half-century, scoring 55 runs, with 9 fours. He also stitched a match-defining partnership of 88 runs for the second wicket with the star number 3 batter Shreyas Iyer.
Shreyas Iyer also played a half-century knock, scoring 52 runs, hitting 6 fours and a six to his name before getting out, off Andile Phehlukwayo. Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo scalped one wicket each for South Africa in the second innings.
Arshdeep Singh won the 'Player of the Match award for his brilliant match-defining performance in India's favour.
Now, both teams will play the second ODI of the three-match series against each other at St. George’s Park in Gqberha on Tuesday, December 19. Notably, South Africa and India also took on each other in the recently-concluded three-match T20I series, which ended up on an equal margin of 1-1 as both teams won one match each.
Here’s how fans reacted to India’s win in the first ODI against South Africa:
KL Rahul becomes the first Indian captain to win a Pink ODI.
— 𝐓𝐮𝐡𝐢𝐧 🇮🇳 (@TuhinBiswas_13) December 17, 2023
W,W,W,W,W,W,W,W,W,W
- 10th consecutive victory for captain KL...!!! 🇮🇳😌
Future in safe hands 🥺💕#INDvsSA #KLRahul #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/nyWmroo6zF
Historic win of India in Frist ODIs against SA in 3 match series.India makes a comeback in ODIs after 2023 World Cup Final loss.🏆🏆
— Hriday Singh (@hridaysingh16) December 17, 2023
Grt performance by debutant Sai and Gd hand by Iyer......👏👏👏
First Pink match win by India Under KL Rahul.....😎😎😎😎#SAvsIND #INDvsSA… pic.twitter.com/I9BTfFXL7u
Congrats team India #SAvsIND
— SAIF ULLAH (@saifullah_177) December 17, 2023
South Africa was playing with their main batting lineup which continuously scored 300+ in WC (De cock retired)
— Prateek (@prateek_295) December 17, 2023
& 2 Indians bowlers who aren’t part of Indian main team demolished them
Feeling good for Avesh & Arshdeep who get criticism on flat Indian pitches. #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/LEJRYP8mKk
Arshdeep Singh won the Player of the match award for his terrific bowling performance. 🫡🔥
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) December 17, 2023
10-0-37-5
A well deserving Player of the match for Arshdeep Singh. 👏⭐#ArshdeepSingh #INDvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #SAvsIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/uq5hdz79BF
50 for Sai Sudharsan on debut! And ofcourse India’s best middle order batsman since years @ShreyasIyer15 as always with a pillar performance! Sensational bowling in the first innings! Great win #IndianCricket #SAvsIND
— Nishaant Williams | WILLY GAMING (@Willygaming30) December 17, 2023
Congratulations to our padosis on winning the first ODI against South Africa by 8 wickets 🇮🇳♥️ #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/EOuCnjZ6ES
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 17, 2023
Well played 👏🏼 #SAvsIND
— Selvyn R (@Selvyn_R) December 17, 2023
KL Rahul as a captain in the last 10 International matches:
— 𝑴𝑺 𝑭𝑶𝑶𝑻𝑪𝑹𝑰𝑪 (@IFootcric68275) December 17, 2023
Won
Won
Won
Won
Won
Won
Won
Won
Won
Won
Unbelievable record 😱😱#INDvsSA #SAvsIND #KLRahul#AUSvsPAK #PAKvsAUS#IndianCricketpic.twitter.com/QHMv8y8mLE
Well played, Shreyas Iyer...!!!
— Mayank Pandey (@MayankP36121336) December 17, 2023
He smashed 52 runs from 45 balls against South Africa in the run chase in the first ODI match. 🇮🇳🔥
A brilliant knock from him. #ShreyasIyer #INDvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #SAvsIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/reTInFHMVe