YOUNG GUNS BOOM AS INDIA OUTCLASS SOUTH AFRICA IN THE ODIs

In a triumphant display of talent, guts and skill, Team India emerged victorious against South Africa with a commendable 2-1 win in the ODI series. While the social media spotlight may not shine too brightly on Indian successes in the white-ball leg of the tour, a significant and positive shift is underway for Indian cricket. The absence of stalwarts has paved the way for an array of emerging young talents to shine on South African soil, leaving an indelible mark with their praiseworthy performances.

Among these rising stars are Sai Sudharshan and Arshdeep Singh, the latter earning the well-deserved title of Man of the Series. This not only underscores the depth of Indian cricket’s talent pool but also signals a promising future for the team, as the next generation proves its mettle on the international stage in one of the toughest countries to travel.

After Surya’s heroics in the T20 series, K.L Rahul came in to guide the team in the ODIs as the new captain. His earlier record as a captain in South Africa was a poor 3-0 drubbing a couple of years back. But this time around, the young bunch seemed charged up and enabled Rahul to notch up a series win rather comfortably. The first game saw India bowl out South Africa for a paltry 116 as Arshdeep and Avesh Khan combined to dismantle the Proteas in just under 28 overs. Arshdeep took 5 wickets for just 37 runs while Avesh took a 4-wicket haul giving away 27 runs in his 8 overs.

India handed an ODI debut to the bright talent from Tamil Nadu, Sai Sudarshan who scored an unbeaten 55 in the small run chase. His innings defined class and maturity well beyond his years. He has been a prolific scorer in the domestic circuit and has been rewarded for his efforts at a time when many seniors in the current white ball setup are in the twilight of their careers. Even in the second match where India lost, Sai impressed one and all with a 62 that was also the top individual score in an unimpressive batting effort from Team India.

The second game saw Proteas easily overhaul India’s 211 in 43 overs, losing just 2 wickets. Again, it was only Arshdeep among the regular bowlers who picked up 1 of the wickets and bowled economically. The other wicket fell to Rinku Singh’s part-time off spin.

Ultimately, in the third and decisive ODI, Sanju Samson scored his maiden hundred in the format. India batted first and were in a spot of bother when debutant Rajat Patidar, Sai Sudharsan and the skipper Rahul all fell rather early. Patidar impressed with a spunky 16-ball 22 but was bowled trying to attack.

Samson, promoted to number 3, anchored the middle overs in a resilient 116-run partnership with Tilak Verma. Both batsmen steadied the innings and kept India’s score ticking and, in the effort, Samson surpassed his previous ODI high of 86 to reach his maiden century.

After Samson’s departure for 108 the stage was set for Rinku Singh who powered his way to 38 runs in 27 balls, adding the finishing touches to India’s innings. India tightened the screws around South Africa in a chase of 297 and once again Arshdeep was the star of the bowling unit as he took 4 wickets at less than 4 runs an over. Eventually, India won comprehensively by 78 runs with Samson chosen as the Man of the match and Arshdeep the Man of the Series.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Siddhaarth Mahan The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry