Plan was to keep it simple, bowl in the right areas: Arshdeep Singh

After setting the base for India's eight-wicket win and giving them 1-0 lead in the three-match series, Arshdeep credited simplicity in plans and bowling in right areas to bamboozle South Africa on a two-paced pitch with green tinge. "I had thought about what to say if I get the man of the match award and got a little excited (on being eager to come and talk). In the first over DC bhai (Deepak Chahar) set the tone and we knew there was plenty of help from the surface. The plan was to keep it simple and bowl in the right areas," said Arshdeep in the post-match presentation ceremony. Arshdeep had missed the series against Australia to work on conditioning at NCA and admitted to being refreshed in outwitting the South Africa batters. Asked about the wickets he enjoyed from his spell of 3/32, he said, "I enjoyed (David) Miller's wicket as I thought he was expecting an outswinger but I bowled an inswinger instead (to get him out for duck)."

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On a pitch that aided prodigious swing, Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul's unbeaten half centuries propelled India to a convincing eight-wicket win over South Africa in a one-sided contest at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

"The thought was to get his (Keshav Maharaj) wicket but he played well (hit three boundaries in his final over) and the plan could have been different. Hopefully I give such performances moving forward as well." Arshdeep further came in for praise from opener and vice-captain KL Rahul after the match ended. "He's (Arshdeep) growing with each game and with each outing he gets better, he is somebody who has a big heart and I have seen him in close quarters while