India have made a perfect start in the series decider at Visakhapatnam, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh delivering the first breakthrough inside the opening over. South Africa were rocked early when Ryan Rickelton, returning to the XI, edged behind for a four-ball duck.
Arshdeep, operating around 132 kph, produced a lovely outswinger that pitched fuller and held its line. Rickelton leaned into a cover drive away from his body, only to find a thick outside edge. Wicketkeeper KL Rahul made no mistake, completing a straightforward catch to leave South Africa at 1/1 in 0.5 overs.
At the time of dismissal, the scorecard read:
RSA 1/1 (1.2 overs) – Quinton de Kock on 1*, Temba Bavuma yet to get off the mark.
A dream start for India after opting to bowl first, with Arshdeep striking early and setting the tone in this must-win clash.
