South Africa’s social media team mistakes Ashwin for Pujara; posts wrong picture on Twitter

The on-going India vs South Africa Test series is creating a lot of buzz on social media, and this time it is for an error on behalf of South African media which has got twitterati laughing.  Cricket South Africa‘s social media team mistook Cheteshwar Pujara for Ravichandran Ashwin in a picture posted by them.

Brain fade on part of CSA?

When Cheteshwar Pujara reached his half-century on Day 1 of the third Test at Johannesburg, CSA’s official twitter handle posted – “Here’s 50 up for Pujara, his 17th in Test cricket, and probably his slowest too. He took 173 balls. Remember he needed over 50 balls to get his first run. India 143/4 #SAvsIND #FreedomSeries”. However, the photograph used along with the tweet was not of the Saurashtra batsman but of ace spinner Ashwin, who is not even in the India playing XI for the match.

Here's 50 up for Pujara, his 17th in Test cricket, and probably his slowest too. He took 173 balls. Remember he needed over 50 balls to get his first run. India 143/4 #SAvsIND #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/dniIGsRQwh

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 24, 2018

The resulting backlash

This led to a backlash from agitated Indian fans who mocked the overseas media. While some asked them to use spectacles for a clearer view, others called it the worst ever tweet from an official cricket board page on the microblogging website.

That's Not Pujara, That's Ashwin. ??? #INDvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #SAvsIND https://t.co/mwHizl4O1w

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) January 24, 2018

Seh Lo Thoda SirJee Kya Karien ?
Apna Innings Gone .. Bas Barish Karwa Do Yaar ??? pic.twitter.com/h1gwLmAKUa

— Dr Khushboo ??‍⚕️ (@khushikadri) January 24, 2018

That's not @cheteshwar1 it's @ashwinravi99 .use some specs or check before tweeting

— pavankumar (@pavankumarmsc9) January 24, 2018

#SA under pressure already!
Cant distinguish between @cheteshwar1 and @ashwinravi99 ????

— Tribeni Pankaj Verma "Pankaj" (@tpverma) January 24, 2018

What Do You Think About R Ashwin? ?? #SAvIND #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/TIFEql70j4

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja_Real) January 24, 2018

Thats @ashwinravi99 pic. Hes not playing in this test FYI

— Mr X (@halfvolleys) January 24, 2018

But this man is not @cheteshwar1 is a @ashwinravi99 ????

— Vishal Prajapati (@vishal_178) January 25, 2018

What Do You Think About R Ashwin? ?? #SAvIND #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/TIFEql70j4

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja_Real) January 24, 2018

New record for Pujara

Pujara was soon dismissed after scoring a half-century, off the bowling of Andile Phehlukwayo. His innings which was built using 173 balls made him the second slowest Indian to get off the mark in a Test match after Rajesh Chauhan. The no. 3 batsman took as many as 53 deliveries before tucking a Lungi Ngidi delivery behind square to get off the mark. Chauhan, on the other hand, had taken 57 deliveries to score his first run of the innings.

Pujara later revealed that the Wanderers pitch was one of the most difficult pitches he has played on in his entire career. India folded for 187 on day 1. The only other essential contribution came from captain Virat Kohli, who took registered a half-century.