Sai Sudharsan, the promising young batter hailing from Tamil Nadu, finally marked his debut for the Indian cricket team, and true to expectations, he left an instant mark in his first One Day International (ODI) appearance.
Sai Sudharsan eventually made his long-anticipated breakthrough into the Indian cricket team, creating a remarkable imprint in his ODI debut. He didn’t waste any time in making a mark, effortlessly scoring a boundary off his very first international delivery during the encounter against South Africa at Johannesburg’s New Wanderers Stadium. In a successful chase of the modest mark of 117, Sudharsan played a key role alongside the seasoned Shreyas Iyer.
The Men in Blue achieved the target effortlessly, reaching 117 in just 16.4 overs. Sudharsan’s debut batting was remarkable as he became the fourth Indian opener to hit 50 or more runs in their ODI debut. His unbroken 55 off 43 balls displayed his batting skills, displaying smooth strokeplay that included nine boundaries at an excellent strike rate of 127.91. What captivated was Sudharsan’s poise and adaptability against both front and back-foot deliveries, showcasing his versatility at the bat.
As per the reports from Cricbuzz, Sudharsan has joined the likes of Robin Uthappa, KL Rahul, and Faiz Fazal as the fourth Indian opener to notch up 50 or more runs in their ODI start. In the larger picture, Sudharsan now stands as the 17th Indian player to achieve this feat in their debut ODI appearance.
Following the game, Sai Sudharsan took to his social media to convey a heartfelt message, expressing the realization of a childhood dream—the honor of representing Team India. He wrote:
“Growing up as a small kid like everybody I also dreamt of playing for the country. So with hardwork n grit dreams do come true. Blessed to represent the country and contribute for the team. Looking forward to lots of memories. ✨ Special to receive the cap from @klrahul Bhai & it was amazing to bat with @ShreyasIyer15 Bhai. ❤️”
In the match, South Africa’s decision to bat turned out to be an expensive one as Indian pacers Arshdeep and Avesh Khan created havoc. Only De Zorzi (28 in 22 balls) and Phehlukwayo (33 in 49 balls) scored acceptable scores as South Africa fell for 116 in 27.3 overs. India’s Arshdeep (5/37) and Avesh (4/27) stole the show, with spinner Kuldeep Yadav collecting one wicket.
In the chase of 117, India had an early blow with the loss of Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, newcomer Sai Sudarshan (55 in 43 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (52 in 45 balls) guided India to win with over 33 overs to spare. Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo grabbed a wicket apiece. Arshdeep, for his superb bowling, was named the ‘Player of the Match.’ The triumph underlined India’s supremacy in the game, expertly closing off the proceedings.
