Arshdeep Singh made a joke about how a picture with his countryman Avesh Khan improved his performance after he helped India win the first ODI against South Africa. Arshdeep and Avesh took to the skies during India’s eight-wicket victory, hunting in pairs with devastating results as they skittled out the Proteas for a mere 116. It was the lowest total of South Africa’s home-grown ODIs. Following the match, Arshdeep made light of the fact that his performance was greatly influenced by a picture he took with Avesh the day before the first ODI. In a video that BCCI released on X, Arshdeep stated, “It feels good, the photoshoot that I did with you (Avesh) has given me a big boost to produce a good performance here.”
Conversely, Avesh was one wicket short of securing a five-wicket haul. He discussed how Arshdeep provided the perfect foundation for the other bowlers to build upon. “It feels good to bowl wicket to wicket. My mentality has been to concentrate on things that I can control because, when I wasn’t playing T20, I concentrated on playing ODI cricket, which has greatly helped me. I want to give it my all in every game, so I concentrate and support my preparation,” Avesh remarked.
Arshdeep claimed his first-ever five-for in the 50-over format, with the surface providing plenty of purchase for the quick bowlers. Avesh, who bowled first in the innings, was also very fast and energetic, finishing with figures of 4/27 in 8 overs. The combined haul of nine wickets taken by both pacers against South Africa in an ODI innings was a record for Indian pacers. India will play South Africa in the second ODI of the series on Tuesday in Gqeberha, having won the first one.
