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India secured a victory over South Africa in the first ODI of their three-match series on December 17. The Indian team bowled first and delivered an impressive bowling performance, bowling out the hosts for a mere 116 runs in 27.3 overs. In the second innings, India efficiently chased down the target in just 16.4 overs, thanks to noteworthy half-centuries from debutant Sai Sudharsan and Shreyas Iyer.
Sudharsan, recognised for his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and domestic cricket, showcased his skills with a confident 55 off 43 balls in his debut match. Despite the early dismissal of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sudharsan remained composed and executed his innings effectively. Washington Sundar, Sudharsan's teammate from Tamil Nadu, expressed his admiration for the batter with a heartfelt post after his impressive innings.
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“Still vividly remember the first time I saw you in a school match. You were half the size of what you're now, haha! Was a treat to watch you bat like that with so much class and at ease for India! Many congratulations on your India debut Sai!” Sundar said.
Sudharsan gained widespread recognition in Indian cricket following his remarkable innings of 96 runs off just 47 balls during the IPL 2023 Final. The batter’s performance, which included six sixes and eight fours, propelled the Gujarat Titans (GT) to a substantial total of 214 runs. Despite Sudharsan's efforts, GT did not emerge victorious in the match, as Ravindra Jadeja's match-winning boundary on the final ball led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their record-equalling fifth title.
Like Sudharsan, several young talents who made a name for themselves in the IPL have been included in the ODI squad. Captain KL Rahul, addressing the media in the pre-series press conference, said that the intention is to ensure these players feel comfortable within the Indian team.
The second match of the series is scheduled to take place in Gqeberha on December 19. However, India will be without the services of Iyer, who will be joining the Indian Test squad to begin preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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