Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar shared his thoughts about the sensational bowling performance by Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan. Sanjay Manjrekar was pleased with Arshdeep Singh‘s and Avesh Khan’s stunning spells in the first ODI against South Africa.
The decision of batting first after winning the toss, backfired South Africa as Arshdeep Singh stunned the hosts with a double strike in the second over of the game. KL Rahul persisted with Arshdeep and he took another wicket, after which Avesh joined the party with Arshdeep and ran through the middle order to pick remaining wickets.
Avesh finished with 4 wickets and Arshdeep who picked up his first ODI wicket after playing 3 ODIs, also picked up a five wickets haul in the same match. They shared nine wickets between them as the Men in Blue bowled out the hosts for 116 runs, which is South Africa’s lowest total at home ODI. With the help of debutnt Sai Sudharsan’s unbeaten half-century and Shreyas Iyer’s fifty, India managed to chase down the mark in just 16.4 overs.
Sanjay Manjrekar impressed with the performance of Arshdeep Singh & Avesh Khan
Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan have performed admirably in domestic cricket, but at the top level, Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out, things have been different for them. However, the cricketer-turned-commentator was pleased to see that they both established themselves on the international stage in the same game.
In the recent discussion with ESPNCricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar said:
“11 ODIs between the three, it tells you about how not weak, but this was clearly the second line of India’s seam bowling with regards to experience.”
Manjrekar says he is delighted to see Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh, who was out of touch for sometime at the international level, have found their rhythm and line-length back. He also hopes that they continued to do well in the next games of the series.
“Just very, very happy to see Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh, who had lost their way a little bit at the international level, have found their basic bowling style and how they would pick wickets at the IPL and domestic level before they faced the harsh reality of international cricket. I hope they continue to do what they did in this match.” he added
“Arshdeep, just pitching the ball up, getting it to swing, and maybe at the most, we saw a short-of-a-length ball. Avesh Khan as well, keeping it simple. I am glad both of them, who were searching for a performance like this at the international level, found it in the same game.” he further added.
There were no visible signs that it was difficult to bat on – Sanjay Manjrekar on the pitch used for 1st ODI
Sanjay Manjrekar further raised major concern over South Africa‘s batting, highlighting how they have been bowled out for low scores against India on three occasions this year. Against the Men in Blue in the 2023 World Cup, the Proteas collapsed for just 83 runs, and in the third Twenty20 International on Thursday, they could only muster 95 runs.
“This is the third occasion, We saw them get about 80-odd against India at the Eden Gardens at the World Cup. 96 in the last T20I, and 116 here. So, that is actually a big story,” he said.
Manjrekar noted that the batters failed to get going, despite the pitch not being very tough to bat on.
“What is happening with South Africa in home conditions against a young Indian bowling attack? To be all out for 116 on a pitch where there were no visible signs that it was difficult to bat on.” he further added.
Now it will be interesting to see that how South Africa will look to bounce back in the second ODI against India, scheduled to take place at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Tuesday.
Also Read: IND vs SA: South Africa’s Forgettable Batting Outing Against India