All-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed is making his debut for Team India in the second ODI match against South Africa on Sunday, October 9 at the JSCA Cricket Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Team India is in a must-win situation after a close loss by nine runs in the first ODI on Thursday in Lucknow.
Skipper Shikhar Dhawan handed Shahbaz Ahmed his debut India cap on Sunday, after India’s huddle talk. Shahbaz had a good Indian Premier League 2022 season for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He picked up four wickets in 16 matches and scored 219 runs at an average of 27.38 and a strike rate of 120.99.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India shared a video on their social media of Shahbaz Ahmed getting his India cap. They wrote, “A moment to cherish for Shahbaz Ahmed as he makes his debut in international cricket. Go well!”
🎥 A moment to cherish for Shahbaz Ahmed as he makes his debut in international cricket. 👏 👏
Go well! 👍 👍
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/6pFItKAJW7 #TeamIndia | #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Jn9uU5fYXc
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 9, 2022
Shahbaz Ahmed made his List A debut in 2018. So far, he has scored 662 runs in 27 matches at an average of 47.28. The 27-year-old has 24 wickets at an economy rate of 4.50. He will be keen to replicate his performance at the International level. Fans were delighted to see Shahbaz Ahmed make his ODI debut.
Let’s take a look at how fans reacted to Shahbaz Ahmed’s debut:
Shahbaz Ahmed gets the reward for his performances in the domestic circuit and #IPL. Good luck and congrats to him and also to @CabCricket#INDvSA#CricketTwitter
— W V Raman (@wvraman) October 9, 2022
South Africa win the toss and #TeamIndia will be fielding first.
2️⃣ changes from the last game as Washington Sundar comes in place of Ravi Bishnoi and our very own Shahbaz Ahmed will make his International debut, replacing Ruturaj Gaikwad. 🤩#PlayBold #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/vIttRAIeRK
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 9, 2022
Shahbaz Ahmed to make his ODI debut vs South Africa today. Buzzing for him.@RevSportz @BoriaMajumdar
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) October 9, 2022
Very happy for Shahbaz Ahmed
The guy has performed consistently for Bengal. Scored runs whenever team was in trouble.
Terrific fielder too.
Go well, champ!
— Sourav Sinha (@sourav_sinha) October 9, 2022
Go well man! SHAHBAZ AHMED INTERNATIONAL DEBUT 💯💯
— Commentweeters 🏏🥂 (@commentweeters) October 9, 2022
What a moment for Shahbaz Ahmed – getting his maiden India cap! pic.twitter.com/jgYgiEjo2n
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 9, 2022
So happy for Shahbaz Ahmed. He is making his ODI debut for India. #INDvSA
— Varnata (@VarnataSingh) October 9, 2022
So happy for Shahbaz Ahmed. He is making his debut for India. He deserves this chance, because he performed everywhere IPL and domestic cricket and First Class cricket. Good luck, Shahbaz Ahmed.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) October 9, 2022
Exciting to see India go in with a couple of genuine all-rounders in their XI today. Think both Washington Sundar & Shahbaz Ahmed will have roles to play in future Indian white-ball sides. #INDvSA #Ranchi
— Debayan Sen (ਦੇਬਾਯਨ) (@debayansen) October 9, 2022
Best wishes Shahbaz Ahmed. 👍#INDvsSA https://t.co/eFi5FZqvLL
— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) October 9, 2022
South Africa opts to bat first in the second ODI against India
South African skipper Keshav Maharaj won the toss and elected to bat first in the second ODI against India at the JSCA Cricket Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The visitors made a couple of changes to the squad, with Reeza Hendricks and Bjorn Fortuin replacing Temba Bavuma and Tabraiz Shamsi, who are not fit.
Similarly, India also made two changes to their playing XI. Shahbaz Ahmed and Washington Sundar came in for Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravi Bishnoi. Skipper Shikhar Dhawan said at the toss,
“We would have bowled first actually, there is going to be dew in the second innings and we are gonna take advantage of that. Two changes for us. Washington Sundar coming in and Shahbaz Ahmed is making his debut today. Ruturaj and Ravi Bishnoi are out.”
