Twitter Reactions: India ride on Virat Kohli's scintillating 160*, post 303 in Cape Town

Skipper Virat Kohli led from the front as India put up a sensational display with the bat at Cape Town. Being put in to bat first by the Proteas, the visitors posted a total of 303/6 in their quota of 50 overs. While India began well, they did suffer a collapse in the middle. However, Kohli’s stay till the end helped India ensure that they had enough on the board.

Earlier in the day, Rohit Sharma continued his poor run on the South African tour. The opener known for scoring three double centuries was dismissed for a duck in the very first over. On the other hand, his partner Shikhar Dhawan went on to score his second consecutive fifty in the series.

The onus fell upon Dhawan and Kohli to provide India a fierce start. Dhawan went on to slam a brilliant half century as he was at his fluent best. They managed to put up a magnificent 140-run partnership for the second wicket from 133 balls. Not only did they light up the stage with their splendour batting, but also put the pressure straight back on the Proteas bowlers.

The man in form, Ajinkya Rahane who walked in after Dhawan failed to prolong his stay at the crease didn’t last long. Hardik Pandya was promoted in the batting order. While he did hit a maximum, he failed to create a lasting impact. MS Dhoni took time to settle down. However, he failed to connect one for a maximum and handed Lungi Ngidi a catch in the deep.

A lot was expected from Kedhar Jadhav after the middle order collapse. However, he too failed to deliver on the expectations as the 32-year-old was dismissed cheaply. India were reduced to 236/6. However, it was the skipper who was phenomenal at the other end. He went on to score his 34th ODI century, his second in the series.

It was his innings of 160* alongside a cameo by Bhuvneshwar Kumar that took India to a par looking 303. Part-time spinner JP Duminy picked up a couple of wickets in the form of Dhawan and Rahane as he initiated a collapse. Kagiso Rabada got only one wicket but was quite economical.

Here are some of the tweets from the first innings action in Cape Town:

Yet another ? for @imVkohli … the hunger & consistency is remarkable … the Greatest ever ODI player ??? #SAvIND

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 7, 2018

Kohli is tiring, and perhaps feeling a touch of tightness but he's going to have to carry India till the end since no batsman who's come after him seems to be able to stay put… #SAvIND

— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) February 7, 2018

Bhuvi just showed how difficult it is for top order batsmen to understand Kohli's running between the wickets. Completely clueless.

— Alagappan V (@IndianMourinho) February 7, 2018

If Kohli continues performing like this, Proteas bowlers would soon be wishing that they were in Elon Musk's car instead, en route to Mars. #SAvIND

— cricBC (@cricBC) February 7, 2018

170/3 after 30 overs. 265/6 after 46 overs. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 7, 2018

Kohli's not quite at the Tendulkar 1996-03 level yet, but he's getting pretty close.

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) February 7, 2018

India's ODI team has quite a few vacancies. Young players in this IPL should be ready with their applications. #SAvIND

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) February 7, 2018

Whatever else, bat Bhuvi ahead of Hardik Pandya one day. It'll be an eyeopener. Esp overseas. #SAvsInd

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 7, 2018

A bouncer changed Broad's batting.. a match winning knock changed Bhuvi's. Kisi ka negative toh kisi ka positive.

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) February 7, 2018

The best example of 'What goes around comes around' is "Team mein kuch player fit nahi beth rahe"

— Ojas Korde (@Ojasism) February 7, 2018

Rabada celebrated & did sledge Virat after getting him out for a duck just to get the decision overturned by a review. Phewwwww. Kohli took out all the frustration very nicely.

— Arfan ? (@Im__Arfan) February 7, 2018

Rohit Sharma 12th ODI duck!
India results on previous 11 occasions
India won 5, lost 5, and one no result!#SAvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 7, 2018

Phehlukwayo bowling the death overs tells us a thing or two about the depth of this SA bowling…or the lack of it. And he's bowled slower ones to Kohli with mid-off inside the circle..#SAvIND #AskingForTrouble

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 7, 2018

Another masterclass from the modern-day master. What a knock @imVkohli. Amazes me every time I watch him bat. #SAvIND

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) February 7, 2018

India gifts Tahir a wicket so South Africa pick him again, for the next match…#IndvSA

— Tunku Varadarajan (@tunkuv) February 7, 2018

That's bowlers trying their best against a batting machine on 'expert' mode.. @imVkohli How do you do it man? #ViratKohli #Justanotherday #IndvSA

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) February 7, 2018

In between some creamy shots these two have worked hard at running each other out unsuccessfully so far #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 7, 2018

Appears SA has gone in with Rabada and four other Hardik Pandyas.#SAvsIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 7, 2018

If we are grooming finishers, why always leave it to MS to come at 6-7 after everyone. Give him a 5 atleast !! #SAvIND#INDvSA

— Prabhu ? ‏ (@Cricprabhu) February 7, 2018

Rohit Sharma in South Africa in ODIs

11, 9, 23, 1, 5, 18, 19, 20, 15, 0

11 Matches, 10 Innings, 121 Runs, 12.10 Average, 54.50 Strike Rate#SAvIND

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) February 7, 2018

Pandya ahead of Dhoni and Kedar, and Markram has made the right bowling change–Kagiso Rabada in action. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 7, 2018

When Virat goes to fill petrol, the attendant says 'Sahab 100 dekhna'#SAvIND

— P.R. (@pr_akash_raj) February 7, 2018

Kohli now needs 16 more hundreds to break Tendulkar’s record. He isn’t 30 yet #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 7, 2018

Hey. Just a quick ping. Kohli gets another ODI ton. Nothing new, except that it's his 34th.

But seriously…fill some cool adjectives here…whatta man. ??#WhistlePodu #SAvIND

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 7, 2018

All CSK @ChennaiIPL https://t.co/yIQcXjbu8H

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 7, 2018

ODI hundreds –

Joe Root – 10
Steve Smith – 8
Kane Williamson – 10
Total – 28

VIRAT KOHLI – 34#SAvIND

— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) February 7, 2018

Let's not forget that Kohli is coming into this series straight after his honeymoon….. and is still making SA his bitch.

— Alagappan V (@IndianMourinho) February 7, 2018

Rohit Sharma: ( *Comes out after taking Bath*) Dhawan out nahi hua?

Ravi Shastri : Usko Champions Trophy hai esa bata ke khilwa raha hai Virat..#INDvSA

— 18? (@Crichipster) February 7, 2018

Hardik Pandya must tell his grandchildren at the age of 70 that he once mistakenly compared with Kapil Dev.#INDvSA

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) February 7, 2018

Virat scores another brilliant hundred and Shastri signals him to keep playing ???…Abe usko bhi pata hai ye toh, declare thode na karega innings. #INDvSA

— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) February 7, 2018