The Indian contingent on Sunday picked up an easy win over South Africa in the IND vs SA 1st ODI. After being given a target of 117 by the Proteas, India had an easy chase on hand. The chase was made even easier by debutant Sai Sudharsan, who scored an eye-catching 50 to help India gain a lead in the IND vs SA ODI series,
Sudharsan came to open with Ruturaj Gaikwad in the IND vs SA 1st ODI. The batters had an easy job at hand after Arshdeep Singh’s heroics with the ball. The left-arm pacer took his first fifer in ODIs, breaking the backbone of South Africa’s batting line-up. The Proteas were bowled out of 116, but the run still had be to chased. And on came Sudharsan.
The Southpaw looked comfortable right from the start, batting with an ease seldom seen in newcomers. Sudharsan played some majestic shots through the cover and point region, looking in good touch.
Even after losing Ruturaj Gaikwad early, Sudharsan carried on with the same form as he and Shreyas Iyer stitched together a partnership of 88 runs to push the game past South Africa’s reach.
Sudharsan remained not out on 55, pushing his team past the target with 200 balls remaining. His innings was laced with 9 fours and no sixes. Sudharsan also kept up an impressive strike rate of over 127.
The Indian team is already seeing a lot of competition for the opening slot of-late, with many batters vying for that position. The 55 not out by Sudharsan on debut is only likely to make the opening pair choice even tougher for the Indian team management in the coming days.