1st QF South Africa vs SriLanka: Twitter Reaction of shell shocked fans

1st QF South Africa vs SriLanka: Twitter Reaction of shell shocked fans: World Cup 2015 entered its knock out phase with the start of quarter-finals. The first knock-out game between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground will mark the beginning of the most exciting phase of 2015 World Cup. Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first. The start of their innings could not have been more disastrous as they lost both the openers with 4 runs on the board.

As usual, Kumar Sangakkara started the rebuilding process with Lahiru Thirimanne adding 65 runs in the process, but that’s when South African spinners began dominating the Sri Lankan batsman. Thirimanne, Jayawardene, Mathews, Perera and Kulasekara all fell to Imran Tahir and JP Duminy. JP Duminy became the second bowler in this World Cup to pick up a hat-trick, dismissing Mathews, Kulasekara and Kaushal in 3 balls spread over 2 overs. South African bowlers surprised everyone with their aggressive and smart bowling.

Sangakkara started his reply but lost his wicket. The fans of the Sri Lankan cricket could not digest what was happening, while South African fans couldn’t have been more elated at the performance of their team. Their reactions were captured by us in form on Tweets from the social networking site Twitter.

Here are some of the best tweets from the fans & experts during the Sri Lanka-South Africa match:

Well done on glorious ODI careers @KumarSanga2 & @MahelaJay Being an integral part of the ODI side for so many years,it is difficult to(1/2)

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 18, 2015

imagine the side without the 2 of you.Wishing you the very best and will miss the 2 of you constructing the innings in coloured clothes(2/2)

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 18, 2015

Breaking: JP Duminy took a Hat Trick in World Cup!! Malinga took 4 in 4 Balls vs SA in 2007 WC now its a payback time!! #SAvsSL — Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 18, 2015

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 18, 2015

We Use to see Kumar Sangakara scoring Century in World Cup!! Now Get use to see Sri Lanka scoring Century in World Cup!! #SAvsSL — Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 18, 2015

Disappointing to see hugely talented batting line-up crumble like this. SA should wrap it up within 30 overs methinks #DilSay #BingPredicts — Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 18, 2015

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 18, 2015

Feeling sorry for Sangakara he came with a positive mind of 5th ton in a row but his team led him down. #CWC15 #SAvSL — MS Shahzad (@MShahzad077) March 18, 2015

Even God is sad that Sangakkara’s ODI career is nearly over…#CWC15 #SAvSL #SA #SL — Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 18, 2015

You’re remembered for how you lived and not how you died… #Sangakarra — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 18, 2015

Usually, Lankans are brilliant in this stage of the #CWC But now they are down and very much out. However, this is cricket! #SAvsSL — Mohammad Kaif (@KaifSays) March 18, 2015

The choke curse has been reversed. #SAvSL — Faking News (@fakingnews) March 18, 2015

As good as Sanga been during the WC today he is putting a lot of pressure on the other batsman. Proteas on top. — Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel) March 18, 2015

#SA pace bowlers: 20-4-72-3 #SA spin bowlers: 17.2-1-55-7 #CWC15 #SAvSL #SL — Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 18, 2015

I walk in the rain to hide my tears pic.twitter.com/Ph5ybbMRIC #SAvSL — Saima Hasan (@SamHasanPTI) March 18, 2015

Pretty clear tactics for Sri Lanka in this second innings #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/x7Rd30GA3t — Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) March 18, 2015

Reaction of Sri Lankan Fans #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/nnuskUrwBr — Uddhham ~Sing~ (@UddhhamSingh) March 18, 2015

Meanwhile in Sydney #SAvSL #ICCWorldCup2015 pic.twitter.com/JiT7pXb4N0 — Abhishek Joshi (@kaalicharan) March 18, 2015

Sunil Gavaskar is secretly happy that someone came close to his legendary innings of 36 NO off 174 balls #SAvSL — Sunil (@akshaykanitkar) March 18, 2015

India should proud of their train speeds. Our average train speed is better than sangakara’s strike rate.. #SAvSL — Sittu (@Sarcaism) March 18, 2015

4 times Imran Tahir has dismissed Mahela Jayawardene, more than he has dismissed any other batsman. #ImranTahir #SAvSL #SouthAfrica — parthibhan (@parthibhan89) March 18, 2015

#SA have never lost an ODI where they have chased below 150. #SL have never won an ODI defending a target below 150. #SAvSL — scorewithdata (@scorewithdata) March 18, 2015

Just arrivd into #SCG..SriLankan fans can’t believe their batting has collapsed!SA all set to chase 134 #SAvSL #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/zkTUDXMeOI — Adil Shahzeb (@adilshahzeb) March 18, 2015

The #Proteas need 134 runs to qualify for the semifinals! #CWC15 #ProteaFire #SavSL. pic.twitter.com/jw8SZScYoZ — Tuks FM (@TuksFM1072) March 18, 2015

“@KyaUkhaadLega: Current condition of SL fans who were shouting Chokers Chokers at SA. #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/FHEEPNzf5E” — Nitesh (@Edit_Mask) March 18, 2015

#SA and #SL supporters right now. #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/xMdH7mfgYX — Trending India (@Trending_India) March 18, 2015

Imran Tahir inner reaction after taking wicket…. #CWC15 #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/E2vNK7mYFZ — ABHISHEK KUMAR (@abhinitrpr) March 18, 2015

Match Found ! #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/42Zh0AWuwT — Sittu (@Sarcaism) March 18, 2015

Thanks Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for giving us so much joy…true ambassadors of this beautiful game. An era has ended today! — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 18, 2015

Two legends. ODI cricket will miss them! #cwc15 #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/3CDXDQUGvJ — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 18, 2015