India’s frontline left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh created history in Johannesburg in the first ODI of the three-ODI series. Arshdeep became the first Indian pacer to take a fifer against the Proteas on South African soil in the 50-over format.
Munaf Patel held the previous record as he took four wickets for 29 runs in Centurion on January 15, 2011. However, Munaf slipped to the third place as Avesh Khan took four wickets for 27 runs on December 17.
Arshdeep became the 10th visiting bowler to take five or more wickets against South Africa in South Africa. For India, Yuzvendra Chahal took five wickets for 22 runs in Centurion in 2018.
However, Arshdeep is not the first Indian to take a fifer in ODIs in South Africa. Ashish Nehra had registered six wickets for 23 runs against England in Durban in 2003 World Cup.
Arshdeep’s fifer helped India bowl out South Africa for 116, their lowest score at home. Their previous lowest of 118 was against India only in Centurion five years ago.
Arshdeep struck with the fourth ball he bowled in his first over with the new ball. Reeza Hendricks dragged a delivery back to his stumps and got bowled. On the next delivery, Arshdeep brought the back back to Rassie van der Dussen as he was dismissed lbw for a golden duck.
As the partnership between Ton de Zorzi and Aiden Markram was building, Arshdeep provided the breakthrough. After getting hit for a maximum on the first ball of the eighth over, Arshdeep got the better of De Zorzi with a short ball. The top-edge carried to wicketkeeper KL Rahul. In his next over, he got through the defense of Heinrich Klaasen's defense as he got bowled.
In the 26th over, Arshdeep broke another partnership to complete his fifer. Andile Phehlukwayo who had hit a couple of sixes and was looking to attack swung his bat across the line and was trapped in front of the stumps. Arshdeep finished with five wickets for 37 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
“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,” the 24-year-old told the broadcasters during the innings break.
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