Left-arm pace sensation Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian pacer to pick a five-wicket haul in ODIs against South Africa, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday. (Live Blog | Scorecard | Streaming | Key Battles | Full Coverage)
The 24-year-old pacer, also became the fourth Indian bowlers to claim an ODI fifer against the Proteas, after Sunil Joshi, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja. Arshdeep's fifer also makes him the third Indian after Chahal and Ashish Nehra, to bag five wickerts in South Africa. Nehra's feat (6/23) came against England during the 2003 ODI Cricket World Cup.
Arshdeep began his record-breaking spell by sending back South Africa's top three batters. He then completed his five-wicket haul by trapping Proteas' Andile Phehlukwayo plumb in front of the stumps.
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Speaking about the spell, Arshdeep said that he was trying to keep it simple. He said, "I was trying to keep it simple. I hadn't opened my account in ODIs. Great to start with a fifer. The wicket was helpful. When we had a chat, we thought there won't be much movement."
"We spoke earlier that there won't be much movement but we were surprised, there was a breeze too so the plan was to keep it wicket to wicket and look for lbw/bowled."
Arshdeep also stated that he was playing the 50-over format after a long time so to adapt quickly was difficult.
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"Adaptability is the key for us as bowlers. Proud to represent the country and do the job. It was quite hot as well. I'm playing the 50-over format after a long time, so it was difficult but I'm feeling fresh after the fifer. Even we thought so (that the pitch was abrasive) but there was some moisture in the wicket, so the ball remained fairly new," he concluded.
