Twitter Reactions: India bundled for 187 after fifties from Kohli-Pujara, SA lose Markram

The Johannesburg pitch failed to surprise anyone as it delivered according to promises. Virat Kohli went in the game with an all pace attack as he brought in Bhuvneshwar Kumar in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. Remember the last time India played five pacers in a game?

For a change, India were batting first in the game. KL Rahul continued from where he left in the last game. He was dismissed for a duck. Murali Vijay’s stay at the crease didn’t last long as well. India were left reeling at 13/2 as Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander were in midst of a fiery spell.

Cheteshwar Pujara who has been known as India’s most efficient test batsman took 54 balls to get off the mark. He and Virat Kohli put up 84 runs for the third wicket partnership. Both scored splendid half centuries in the game. South African fielders also dropped catches to make it easy for India.

However, once both the prominent batsmen got out, the Indian middle order collapses. Ajinkya Rahane who was brought back in this game failed to make it count. The batsman earlier got a reprieve as he was dismissed off a no ball. Parthiv Patel continued to fail whereas Hardik Pandya persisted with his brainfades.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s effort in the end meant India had a total of 187 runs on the board. Kagiso Rabada was the pick amongst the Proteas bowling lineup as he got three wickets. The trio of Morne Morkel, Philander and Andile Phehlukwayo got a couple of wickets each.

South Africa came out to bat for a fair bit. After a good batting effort in the middle, Bhuvneshwar managed to get the first breakthrough as well. Aiden Markram got out as he edged one to Parthiv Patel. South Africa were 6/1 at stumps on Day One as Dean Elgar and night watchman Rabada were at the crease.

Twitter was back to being at it’s splendid best on a match day. While the duo of Kohli and Pujara were lauded for their batting effort, the likes of Rahane and Pandya got trolled. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was also praised for his all-round effort. Here we present to you some of the Twitter reactions from today’s game.

I hope Kohli has learned from his team selection errors in this series, or else this lost series will be a total waste. #SAvIND

— LOLendra Singh (@LOLendraSingh) January 24, 2018

Rahane’s struggle in the middle wasn’t unexpected. This game is a lot about what’s happening between the two ears. He deserves patience. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 24, 2018

Loving this bowling spell by @BhuviOfficial and @Jaspritbumrah93 ball moving like snake ? bite it?.. top class #SAvIND

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 24, 2018

Important runs for India,this wicket is not easy to bat on and it won’t be easy for SA either #SAvIND

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) January 24, 2018

Bhuvi is comfortably the third-highest scorer in this innings. His claims to be the bowling all-rounder far more legitimate at the moment

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 24, 2018

What ball awareness from Bhuvi – running that bye, retaining strike for the next over, and his place in the next Test whenever that may be#SAvsInd

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 24, 2018

Kohli: Is the match going on at an SBI branch?

Pujara: No.

Kohli: Then why the hell is it taking you so long to open your account?#SAvIND

— Swagpur ka Choudhary (@ABChoudhary007) January 24, 2018

Not saying India are giving wickets away, but since Pujara got out it was Buy One, get Four free… #savind

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) January 24, 2018

On the Scale of "Pujara's inning to Dhoni's Stumping" How fast are you?#SAvIND

— Akram ?? (@akramismm) January 24, 2018

Those of a certain age will remember a time when M Vijay left the ball outside off better than anyone else. There was a phase when he was one of the best openers in the world. Where has that man gone? #SAvIND

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) January 24, 2018

Indian Team playing 3rd test match after losing last two matches be like :#INDvSA #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/RTW0fyISMT

— Beanology (@followTheGupta) January 24, 2018

Couldn't accuse Pujara of having one eye on the IPL auction! #SAvIND

— Paul Dennett (@the_summer_game) January 24, 2018

smart from india. five man pace battery can get a go on the first day itself #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 24, 2018

Indian Media: Pujara takes a single in 54 balls, see how Taimur reacted. #SAvIND

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) January 24, 2018

The shot that Hardik Pandya played makes all the hardwork done by Kohli and Pujara go in vain. #SAvIND

— Prajakta Bhawsar (@ViratsFangirl18) January 24, 2018

Pujara holding firm against the best pace attack since the Windies circa 1980s and people are complaining?

India's best player.#SAvInd

— Dennis Philander (@DennisCricket_) January 24, 2018

Hardik Pandya definitely needs to work on his game awareness. Bhuvneshwar wanted to cross while the ball was in the air, and Pandya just stood there. #SAvIND

— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) January 24, 2018

Let's pretend Rohit Sharma would have scored more runs here like we did for Ajinkya Rahane in the first two Tests….. #SAvIND

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 24, 2018

“Virat Kohli reminds me of Viv Richards” Michael Holding giving Kohli a massive compliment #SAvIND

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) January 24, 2018

Pic 1: When Pujara comes in to bat
Pic1: When Pujara scores his first run#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/DhIKdPcMIV

— KAJALaneNENU?? (@BanarasiBasanti) January 24, 2018

The only disappointing thing is after all the talk and stuff, they don't put a price on the wicket. No lessons learnt at all. Reckless batting. They have taken pitch out of context with their shots. #SAvIND

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 24, 2018