Twitter explodes as Bhuvneshwar Kumar rips through the Proteas top order

When the Indian team landed on the South African soil this season, little did they know that they will have a dream start to their tour. The belief was always there but the doubts aplenty as well. However, when the action unfolded on the day that mattered, ace Indian bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar took the Proteas order by surprise.

He ripped through the top three to put India in the commanding position. In his first three overs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned with figures of 3/5. One thing to keep in mind is that he was playing against the odds. The South African skipper Faf du Plessis had won the toss and had opted to bat first in the match.

It took only about 25 minutes of play to ascertain that the decision certainly backfired for the Proteas. Also, Bhuvneshwar Kumar did not have the most ideal start to the tour. His first two balls drifted down the leg side and it seemed that the nervousness had crept in. Well, for the masterclass that he is, the veteran campaigner dismissed Dean Elgar on the very next delivery.

Elgar has been one of the prolific run getters in the format over the last year or so. And hence, getting rid of him is indeed a big achievement. Bhuvi managed to get past his outside edge as India drew first blood. The over turned out to be a maiden wicket one. It was only a matter of time that Bhuvi dismissed the other opener, Aiden Markram.

He had a plot set for Markram. It was a beautiful inswinger that nipped back in sharply. Markram did not expect the ball to do too much and that led to his dismissal. The umpire took very little time to rule him out with an lbw decision.

Amla feels the heat

While the inexperience of Elgar and Markram was pretty much evident, the expectations were huge from the experienced Hashim Amla. Much like the other two, Amla also disappointed. He tried to play his favorite backfoot drive on a delivery that rose sharply and ended up edging it. Wriddhiman Saha pocketed his second catch. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was on fire and the Twitterati could not control their emotions.

Here is how the Twitterati reacted to Bhuvi’s opening spell:

Bhuvi is on fire…but we need to get ABD quickly #SAvIND

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 5, 2018

Amla gone, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has three.

The sound you hear is of the stunned silence of people who wanted to rubbish a side without even giving them a chance. #SAvIND

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 5, 2018

If you don't appreciate this from @BhuviOfficial, you are just being J.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 5, 2018

It seems like #Bhuvi was thrilled after yesterday's retention.
He's on fire and how ?!@BhuviOfficial hunts down Amla.
Three down and SA are in trouble.#SAvIND #OrangeArmy

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 5, 2018

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 2018 Test statistics:

3 overs
5 runs
1 maiden
3 wickets including Hashim Amla for 3

What a start. ?#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/njj7Xvrfs6

— bet365 (@bet365) January 5, 2018

And number 3!!!! @amlahash done. Fantastic start this from India and @BhuviOfficial one more before lunch and its India’s session.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 5, 2018

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of the most clever bowlers in world cricket right now

Sees Markram move across the stumps and drive him through mid-off for four Follows it up with a ball jabbing back in, with more zing and no change in line for the wicket
brilliant bowling#INDvsSA

— Neeraj Singh (@Singh_Neeraj007) January 5, 2018

A remarkable start for #TeamIndia as Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets his 3rd wicket and Amla has to go. #RSAvIND

— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) January 5, 2018

South Africans Are Anti Muslims Coz Not Giving Their Wicket To Muslim Bowler Shami But To Only Hindu Bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar ! #SAvIND

— Babu Bhaiya (@Shahrcasm) January 5, 2018

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has given India a flying start against South Africa. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/ffJ73PsATl

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) January 5, 2018

What if Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn't get married in Italy? He's making up for it by partying in South Africa.

— Gabru Tippler (@MrTippler) January 5, 2018

Yesterday Sunrisers Hyderabad retained Bhuvneshwar kumar and Today he is proving why they retained him.

What a dream Start @BhuviOfficial .#SAvIND

— Broken Cricket18?? (@BrokenCricket18) January 5, 2018

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

What a start by Bhuvi

First over took wicket
Second over took wicket
Third over took wicket

— ? TSk ? (@Vinith_Offl) January 5, 2018

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is doing well because after getting married he was doing practice instead of reception party, what will Kohli do?

— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) January 5, 2018

That was one of the best opening over I have seen for a long time. Elgar was set up beautifully too . Well bowled @BhuviOfficial #SAvIND

— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) January 5, 2018

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is running riot. Three big wickets in his first 3 overs!! This series is gonna be better than Ashes. #SAvIND

— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) January 5, 2018

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