(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India started the ODI series against South Africa with a one-sided win in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan wreaked havoc with the ball in the first innings, dismantling the Proteas at a paltry score of 116.
While the result was a formality even before the run-chase started, how the Men in Blue batted stole the show.
Sai Sudharsan, who was making his international debut, hogged the limelight with his maiden fifty at the highest level.
Impressed with Sudharsan, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan made a bold prediction, stating that the youngster could serve India for 10-15 years.
“If someone bats like this on a South African pitch, you feel you have found someone who can play for the Indian team for the next 10-15 years. It is very early but still an exceptional start. The first four came off the first ball. So he started extremely well,” Pathan said as quoted on Star Sports.
Praising Sudharsan, the cricketer-turned-commentator talked about various facets of his game, providing the reasoning of his prediction.
“When you see him bat, he stays upright, plays the short ball well, uses his feet well, plays fast bowling and spin equally well off both the front and back foot, brings the sweep shot out, and then dances down the track to generate pace if a fast bowler doesn’t have the pace. So it seems like he is extremely mature,” Pathan added.