Arshdeep Singh Reveals How Avesh Khan Gave Him 'Big Boost' Before Picking Up Maiden 5-wicket Haul – News18

Arshdeep Singh picked up his maiden five-wicket haul as India beat South Africa by eight wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Singh recorded figures of 5/37 in 10 overs, and shared nine wickets with Avesh Khan, who took 4/27 in eight overs, as the Proteas were bowled out for a paltry 116 in 27.3 overs.

In reply, India coasted to 117-2 in 16.4 overs with debutant opener Sai Sudharsan scoring an unbeaten maiden half-century.

The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the ODI series. Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, will host the second ODI on Tuesday, while the third will be played in Paarl on Thursday.

In a video posted on BCCI social media handles, Arshdeep and Avesh opened up on their star turn with the ball.

Arshdeep joked about how a photo shoot with Avesh a day before the first ODI, helped in his performance.

“It feels good, the photoshoot that I did with you (Avesh) has given me a big boost to produce a good performance here,” Arshdeep said in the video.

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In fact, four of Arshdeep’s wickets came in the first ten overs – Reeza Hendricks chopped onto his stumps for an eight-ball duck, while Rassie van der Dussen was trapped lbw with a nip-backer. Tony de Zorzi was undone by playing one too many against the short balls and gave a top edge to KL Rahul, and Arshdeep followed it up by getting one to nip back in and disturb Heinrich Klaasen’s leg-stump bail. Arshdeep finally had his first five-wicket haul in ODIs when he trapped Andile Phehlukwayo lbw while trying to shape for a slog.

Avesh lauded Arshdeep for setting him and the other bowlers up with his fiery spell.

“My job was to bowl wicket to wicket it feels good, my mindset has been to focus on things that I can control because when I didn’t play T20 I focused on ODI cricket, this has benefitted me a lot. I focus and back my preparation, I want to give my 100 per cent in every match,” Avesh said.

(With inputs from Agencies)