Indian youngster Sai Sudharsan spoke on
his debut match against Australia in the 1st ODI game on Sunday, saying the
visitors reacted to the game well.
Speaking on a video shared by the Board
of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sudharsan said the wicket in
Johannesburg was tricky and was not easy. He added that his partnership with
Shreyas Iyer was amazing.
“I think we have reacted well to the
situation. The wicket was a bit tricky and it was not easy to bat but we had a
very good partnership. What was happening on the pitch, it went great. I just
tried and collected as much awareness as I could of how the conditions will be
in South Africa. I played India A game before coming here, I think it helped me
to adjust to the conditions,” Sudharsan said.
“I had reacted to the ball well. I had a
small feeling that it would be nice to start the first ball with a boundary,” added
the 22 years’old player.
Coming to the match, Proteas opted to
bat first. But Indian pacers Arshdeep and Avesh Khan proved that decision to be
fatal for Proteas. Only De Zorzi (28 in 22 balls, with two fours and two sixes)
and Phehlukwayo (33 in 49 balls, with three fours and two sixes) could
contribute something decent as SA was bundled out for 116 in 27.3 overs.
Arshdeep (5/37) and Avesh (4/27) were
the top bowlers for India. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav got one wicket for India.
In the run chase of 117, India lost
Ruturaj Gaikwad (5) early, but fifties from debutant Sai Sudarshan (55 in 43
balls, with nine fours) and Shreyas Iyer (52 in 45 balls, with six fours and a
six) sealed the game for India with over 33 overs to spare.
Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo got
a wicket each. Arshdeep took home the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
After going one up in the series, India
will face South Africa in the second ODI on Tuesday in Gqeberha.
ANI
