IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh Becomes 1st Indian Pacer To Achieve Remarkable ODI Feat vs SA

Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh scripted history as he became the first pacer from his country to take a five-wicket haul against South Africa in their own backyard. The fast bowler achieved the feat in the ongoing first ODI between teams at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. 

Arshdeep Singh proved South Africa’s decision to bat first miserably wrong. The lanky left-arm pacer was all over the Proteas batters and didn’t put a foot wrong. He targeted impeccable lengths and made hosts batters look clueless in their own backyard. 

Arshdeep Singh had a great start to his innings as he picked up two wickets in the very first over he bowled. After that, he didn’t look back and made South African batters dance to his tunes. He single-handedly rattled the top order and put his team in top position. 

The Punjab bowler returned with the figures of 5/37 in his quota of 10 overs and removed the likes of Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen and Andile Phehlukwayo. His impressive bowling helped India bundle out the opposition for just 116 runs. 

Arshdeep Singh with the five-wicket haul became the only fast bowler from India to achieve the feat against South Africa in South Africa. He joined the likes of Indian spinners in Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sunil Joshi. The fast bowler has the third-best figures by an Indian bowler in South Africa. 

Here’s the list of Indian bowlers with five-wicket hauls in South Africa: 

Arshdeep Singh – 5 for 37 in Johannesburg in 2023 

Yuzvendra Chahal 0 5 for 22 in Centurion in 2018 

Ravindra Jadeja – 5 for 33 in Kolkata in 2023 

Sunil Joshi – 5 for 5 in Nairobi in 1999 

Apart from Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan also had a great outing as he picked up four wickets. Kuldeep Yadav was also amongst the wickets as he bagged one the scalp.

IND vs SA: Hadn’t opened my account in ODIs, Great to start with a fifer – Arshdeep Singh after his heroics 

Arshdeep Singh opened up about his performance in the ongoing game against South Africa. He admitted that he didn’t have the kind of outings he would’ve wanted in ODIs but is glad to open his account with Fifer. He highlighted the importance of adaptability in different conditions. Speaking about his performance, he elaborated: 

“Was trying to keep it simple. Hadn’t opened my account in ODIs. Great to start with a fifer. The wicket was helpful. When we had a chat, we thought there won’t be much movement. We spoke earlier that there won’t be much movement but we were surprised, there was a breeze too so the plan was to keep it wicket to wicket and look for lbw/bowled. 

“Adaptability is the key for us as bowlers. Proud to represent the country and do the job. It was quite hot as well. I’m playing the 50-over format after a long time, so it was difficult but I’m feeling fresh after the fifer. Even we thought so (that the pitch was abrasive) but there was some moisture in the wicket, so the ball remained fairly new.” 

Arshdeep Singh notably didn’t have great outings in the ODIs he played ahead of this game. He was sidelined from the team but made a staggering comeback.