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In the Pink Day ODI, India’s pace attack had seven
wickets in total going into the match. However, they took just 13 overs to
double that total and then beyond it, bowling South Africa out for 116, their
lowest score at home. India easily overcame the total to hand South Africa only
their third loss in Pink Day ODI history.
Mukesh Kumar was equally as sharp as Arshdeep Singh,
who claimed five wickets, and Avesh Khan, who claimed four. Mukesh Kumar began
with an over in which Reeza Hendricks was unable to put bat on ball.
Because the match was being played on the same strip
that held the final Twenty20 International between the same sides three days
ago, both teams desired to bat first. India’s spinners got a lot of help that
evening, both up and down as well as sideways.
However, in a day match, South Africa ended up being
the unlucky team to win the toss and get their wish to die on a dangerous pitch
where seam and swing were easily accessible to accompany irregular bounce.
The losing finalists and semi-finalists, still licking
their wounds from the World Cup, entered the match with their star fast bowlers
rested and ready for the Test series. The middle-order nucleus of South Africa
was still there, but India’s lineup appeared utterly undeveloped. In the World
Cup final, only captain KL Rahul, left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav, and
Shreyas Iyer participated.
Rahul took immediate action after Mukesh made a strong
first ball appeal. Hendricks appeared to be stranded squarely in front of the
inswinger, but Rahul and the umpire were both duped by two noises. The ruling
was not reviewed, nor was it distributed.
Much as in the third Twenty20 International three days
prior, when Hendricks was unable to get close to Mohammed Siraj for the
entirety of the first over, Mukesh proceeded to toy with both of his edges for
the remainder of the over. Mukesh moved the ball more than Arshdeep did.
Hendricks took a shot after spotting a wide one and managed to play it on for
an eight-ball duck. Rassie van der Dussen was then trapped in front for a
golden duck by Arshdeep’s excellent inswinger.
After surviving the hat-trick ball, Aiden Markram and
Tony de Zorzi added 39 runs for the third wicket. Ultimately, on 28 off 21, de
Zorzi erred by pulling a ball that was not short enough, and Rahul took the
massive top edge. With the final ball of the tenth over, Arshdeep took Heinrich
Klaasen’s leg bail, causing more damage with a seam movement back in.
Despite bowling two more overs, Arshdeep was unable to
secure the fifth wicket he was chasing. But Avesh continued to strike. David
Miller was dealt two sucker balls during his seven-ball stay. After pushing
back against the first, he eventually edged the second. It grew large on Keshav
Maharaj, so he quickly chipped one to cover. Arshdeep finally picked up the
fifth, trapping Phehlukwayo lbw on a slog.
Sai Sudharsan found enough time in a brief inning to
make a memorable debut. He was given a half-volley to begin with, which he
cover-drove for four runs. He soon got relief when his bat striking his boot
produced two noises that fooled the umpire and the fielding crew into not
reviewing it.
Burger tried to tuck Iyer up, but Iyer, who partnered
with Sudharsan for 88 runs, added a beautiful cover-drive on the up to the
highlight reel. Seeking to get out of there quickly, he scored 52 off 45 and
was out. Even with more than 33 overs remaining, India prevailed.