RSA VS IND - 1st ODI, India tour of South Africa, 2023-24

India have taken an early lead. SA never threatened to compete. India had it all easy. The spinners wrecked havoc at the same venue a couple of days ago but today weren't needed. The pacers - Arshdeep and Avesh - just routed out the hosts. 117 was tracked down with elan. India look unstoppable. They were tremendous in the T20Is at home. And once again are showing some good form in white ball cricket. 2023 barring that WC final has seen India playing some fantastic cricket. SA will have to do some homework before the next ODI. This is KAD signing off on behalf of Abhinand, MS Ramakrishnan and Venky!

KL Rahul: I am happy. Good to have a win under the belt. Completely different to what we expected. The plan was to get the spinners in the game. The boys did really well. The boys did well to stay disciplined. The ball kept moving around. There is a lot of cricket being played. You prioritize one format. For now, it is Tests and T20s. Everyone is performing and trying to do well for the country. Good chance for them to get a taste of international cricket.

Arshdeep Singh, Player of the Match: I feel little sore. Loving this moment. Thank God and the team management. It is a little different than normal grounds as I was running out of breath. Personally it feels good, I am enjoying my role. I would thank KL Rahul bhai as he said you have to come back and get that fifer. I guess it is about enjoying this moment. (On the upcoming matches) When we go there, then focus on what will work there.

Aiden Markram: Tough one. Winning the toss, batting first we would have wanted to bat well. Credit to the Indian bowlers. We were behind from the very first ball. Couldn't recover. We expected it to go around a little bit. In the first 6-7 overs, it does do a bit. Today, it lasted a little longer and they bowled well. Comes down to individuals. It is up to them to assess and then plan it forward. We need to take smart options in a given situation.

Stats by Shashikant Singh

Biggest ODI defeat for South Africa in terms of balls remaining
215 vs ENG, Nottingham, 2008
200 vs IND, Johannesburg, 2023*
188 vs AUS, Sydney, 2002
185 vs IND, Delhi, 2022

Biggest ODI wins for India in terms of balls remaining
263 vs SL, Colombo RPS, 2023 *
231 vs KEN, Bloemfontein, 2001
211 vs WI, Thiruvananthapuram, 2018
200 vs SA, Johannesburg, 2023*

-- Sai Sudharsan is the 17th Indian to score 50+ runs on ODI debut.

Indian openers to score 50+ runs on ODI debut
86 - Robin Uthappa vs ENG, 2006
100* - KL Rahul vs ZIM, 2016
55* - Faiz Fazal vs ZIM, 2016
55* - Sai Sudharsan vs SA, 2023*

14:15 Local Time, 12:15 GMT, 17:45 IST: India go 1-0 up. They have put up a blockbuster show. This is what you call a shellacking. SA were hammered by India in the WC and this looked like an extension of that. India didn't have Kohli, Sharma, Bumrah, Shami, Jadeja but did it matter? Not at all. India were supreme. SA never arrived. They won the toss and batted. And then Arshdeep put up a superb show. He was backed up in an excellent manner by Avesh and together they picked up 9 wickets with the former picking up a fifer. Phehlukwayo top-scored with 33 but that was too late. He ensured though that they breached the triple digit mark. India wrapped it up inside 28 overs and 117 was never going to be threatening. Sai at the top was making his debut but it never looked like that. Ruturaj fell early to Mulder but Shreyas Iyer walked in and batted positively. Both Sai and Iyer notched up fifties with the latter falling with India needing only 6. Varma came in and just scored a single and that was the final piece of action in the first ODI. India have taken the lead without losing much sweat.

Nandre Burger to Tilak Varma, 1 run, back of a length delivery, climbs on top of it and nudges the ball down to fine leg for a single. India win by 8 wickets to hand SA a hammering...India have totally outplayed SA from ball number 1

Nandre Burger to Tilak Varma, no run, bangs it short, Tilak Varma sits under it and lets it go to the keeper

Nandre Burger to Sai Sudharsan, 1 run, the scores are level. Dropped at slip. Hendricks at slip wasn't expecting it. That was short, outside off, Sai Sudharsan wanted to ramp it but got it off the cue-end. That's a lucky escape for Sai Sudharsan

Nandre Burger to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR, Only two more now. Sai Sudharsan has been so impressive. He has been phenomenal. Pitched up delivery and Sai Sudharsan has driven so well. Loosener and put away with elan

Nandre Burger [5.0-1-29-0] is back into the attack

Phehlukwayo to Tilak Varma, no run, fuller length delivery, slower, Tilak Varma drives it down to cover

Tilak Varma, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Drinks. But India are home. Well, almost home. India need 6 more to win. Phehlukwayo has had an interesting over. He has given away 15 but has picked up Iyer. But that ain't any solace.

Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer, out Caught by Miller!! Iyer goes. Looking to finish it off, has holed out at point. Was a short ball, outside off, Shreyas Iyer wanted to slash it but the ball lobbed off the top-edge. The man at point took an easy catch. Second one for SA but too late in the day. Iyer just wanted to go for the glory shot but miscued it completely. Shreyas Iyer c Miller b Phehlukwayo 52(45) [4s-6 6s-1]

Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer, THATS OUT!! Caught!!