Twitter Reactions: Hardik Pandya departs after a fantastic knock of 93

As the rest of the Indian batting line up fell apart, it was Hardik Pandya who stood tall at Cape Town. Coming out to bat when India were in a spot of bother, Pandya played a sensational knock of 93. His knock not only rescued India but also helped them put a bold response to the Proteas.

India were reduced to 92/7, trailing by almost 200 runs. The way South African pace attack was replicating themselves in the field, it seemed the Indian innings won’t last long. The quartet of Rabada, Morkel, Steyn and Philander kept troubling the batsmen. However, Pandya had other plans.

He alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar stitched a stupendous partnership of 99 runs for the 8th wicket. While Pandya kept scoring runs at a splendid pace, Bhuvneshwar from the other end continued to hang along at the crease. Bhuvneshwar got out scoring 25(86) marking the end of a sumptuous batting stand.

Pandya scored a splendour 93 runs. What’s laudable is his strike rate of 97.9 that kept the South African bowlers under pressure. The all-rounder hit 14 boundaries and a maximum as he rescued India after the middle order collapse.

Hardik Pandya closely fell short of a deserving hundred. Kagiso Rabada managed to get the coveted wicket. In what was a short delivery angled to Pandya, he tried to get an uppercut but ended up giving a faint edge to the wicketkeeper. Faf Du Plessis kissed Rabada on the forehead, determining how badly the hosts vouched for Pandya’s wicket.

Twitter was full praise for Hardik Pandya’s match saving knock for India. The all-rounder displayed some tremendous batting in helping India out of the woods. While many lauded Pandya’s fantastic innings, some advised the other batsmen to take notes.

Here we present to you, some of the Twitter reactions regarding Pandya’s knock:

Intent makes such a big difference. So proud of Hardik for a really special counter-attacking innings.
Hope the bowlers do something special in the second innings.#SAvIND

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 6, 2018

Counter attacking Batting has worked in both innings, positive intent and shot selection could be the words going forward in this Test, on this track #SAvIND

— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) January 6, 2018

My Twitter feed must be malfunctioning. Where are the snarky comments about Pandya's selection? Has the cynicism taken a weekend off? #SAvIND

— Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) January 6, 2018

Pandya falls seven short of a second successive Test hundred. But each run worth almost two in this innings. And I hadn’t agreed with his selection?

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 6, 2018

"Hardik Pandya showing world that the number of runs matter & not the number of wedding receptions" #overheard ??

— Ojas. (@Ojasism) January 6, 2018

when the team fails pandya performs. remember ct final?#INDvSA

— ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ (@firkiii) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya is a breath of fresh air. I’d have preferred 6 pure batsmen at the start but I’m happy to admit I was wrong. A few more runs and this match will be back on even keel #SAvIND

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya is walking back 2 feet taller. Well done man. May this series seal your Test spot forever.

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 6, 2018

Some seriously good shots from Pandya. Of course he has the licence to hit, but this not just T20 slogging

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 6, 2018

59 – Number of Test runs Rohit Sharma has scored in his entire career in South Africa

Pandya is batting on 82* now

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 6, 2018

#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/4Oruf5NT1e

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya's 93 today is better than any Steve Smith innings ever.

— Sim ?? (@SimUKCricket) January 6, 2018

Pandya's 76 vs. Pakistan and
93 vs. South Africa.
Will be remembered for a long long time. #SAvIND

— Prajakta Bhawsar (@ViratsFangirl18) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya out for 93 but it was better innings than most of the test centuries. He was taking blow at body also playing with tail enders and helped India to reduce the lead margin…

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) January 6, 2018

We celebrate centuries & rue the ones missed. But this Hardik Pandya 93 is more valuable and brilliant than many 100s. Its impact should be felt through the series. #IndvsSA

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) January 6, 2018

When everyone struggled Hardik Pandya scores half century against likes of Steyn, Rabbada, Morkel & Philander on seaming track and you can't give better birthday gift to Kapil Dev…

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) January 6, 2018

“Well played Pandya. Don’t stress over narrowly missing out on the landmark by just 107 runs” ~ Rohit Sharma #SAvIND

— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) January 6, 2018

Sanjay Manjrekar is next level panauti. Jinxed Pandya's century.

Today:
"Pandya is going to score his second century.."
*OUT NEXT BALL*

2 weeks ago:
"Rohit Sharma is going to score the first T20 200"
*OUT NEXT BALL"

— Sripad (@falsewinger) January 6, 2018

Deserved a ton.. But not many go past Sanju Manju in the commentary box. Well played, Hardik Pandya!

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) January 6, 2018

Pandya is playing the role in Cape Town that Stokes should have played in Brisbane. That is all. #SAvInd

— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) January 6, 2018

Some 90s are more valuable than many 100s….Pandya’s innings of 93 was one of those. Well played. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 6, 2018

hardik pandya waiting for keshav maharaj to bowl #IndvsSA pic.twitter.com/STUASygI93

— shrikant kirwale (@shrikantkirwal1) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya didnt just attack. This was a sensible, cleverly played innings. Has risen many notches as a player.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 6, 2018

Whatever Pandya gets is free dhaniya for us. #SAvIND

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya is more than an all rounder. He is a batsman, a bowler and a commentator. #SAvIND

— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) January 6, 2018

Kohli in dressing room forcing Jadeja to watch Pandya's batting… #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/bBDBOnmCjO

— LolmLol (@LOLiyapa) January 6, 2018

Pujara: Focus on bowler's hand when the ball releases, leave deliveries outside off, play grounded shots.

Pandya: JAI MATA DI LET'S ROCK!!!!!#IndvsSA

— चिरायु। ? (@TimelessSteel) January 6, 2018

107/7 and Pandya worrying about the wide ball he just left and asking Bhuvi " Dena chahiye tha kya?" is the moment of the match for me.

— RJK (@rahul_jk) January 6, 2018

On this pitch, a break can work as a partnership-breaker….hope that’s not the case right now. Pandya deserves a ? ???

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 6, 2018

Enjoying watching this uncomplicated, uninhibited batting from Hardik Pandya. Looking like a batsman.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 6, 2018