Twitter Reactions: India skittle South Africa for 275 despite Maharaj-Philander resistance

With two days going into the hands of Team India batsman, the third day of the second Test went into the hands of India bowlers who remained successful in stealing the show for the day but in the end, the tail of the visitors turned out to be a big headache for the bowlers. In the end, India shut down the innings of South Africa in 105 when Ashwin took the last wicket of the visitors.

India declared the innings towards the end of 2nd day and in last nine overs they took three wickets of the visitors and coming onto the next day Mohammed Shami started off well with the wicket of Anrich Nortje who was sent as a nightwatchman on day two, later it was followed by the wickets of Theunis de Bruyn who was caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha on a back of the length delivery bowled by India quick Umesh Yadav.

With pacers doing their work early, off the late it was the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja that took the important wickets of Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj and Vernon Philander. The only thing that came as a roadblock to sweep off the batting line up of the visitors was their tailenders who did a partnership of 109 runs for the 9th wicket with Keshav Maharaj ending as the top scorer of the batting line up South Africa.

South African tail a big headache; India still on top

It’s been a problem with Indian bowlers who always find it difficult in taking the wickets of tailenders which was witnessed during the second Test as well. Everyone was expecting that the visitors might not be able to touch 250 runs when they were at 162 for the loss of eight wickets. But, a hundred run partnership between Keshav Maharaj and Vernon Philander made India juggle on the field for more than 40 overs.

In the end, Ashwin got an important breakthrough for Team India by taking the wickets of Keshav Maharaj and Vernon Philander that took his wicket tally to four in the second Test.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Maharaj is King .. what a wonderful partnership with The Vern #INDvSA This is what they needed early in the innings . Finally making the Indian bowlers work for a wicket !!

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) October 12, 2019

And we heard such good reviews about the local batting consultant,wonder what his thoughts are🤔 #INDvsSA #sscricket

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) October 12, 2019

With the current Indian bowling line up India won’t mind playing in the home condition like this one in Pune with bit of grass covering that gives extra help for fast bowlers #INDvsSA #fast-bowling

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 12, 2019

@mohanstatsman Keshav Maharaj conceded the most runs while bowling and scored the most runs while batting. Is this the first such instance? #INDvsSA #Cricket

— Kandarp Mehta (@kandarpHmehta) October 12, 2019

India always struggle to remove tailenders. Good resistance by @VDP_24 n @keshavmaharaj16. #INDvsSA

— Anil Varma Jampana (@anilvarma3005) October 12, 2019

Whoever is out of form just bat on no9 or no10 position against Ind..will definitely going to perform Well #INDvsSA

— subham (@skhaitan20) October 12, 2019

Happy for Umesh. Guy has been toiling in the home series and bagging wickets. #INDvsSA

— Royal Msdian (@msdrocks7) October 12, 2019

No team is a pushover! Everyone has skills and ability. Indians should learn to appreciate opponents for their brilliance and fierce comebacks. There is no script, it's foolish to expect India to get opposition all out for 100 freaking every time! #INDvsSA

— Rajguru (@Ram70237243) October 12, 2019

Looks like South Africa has better lower order than top order.#Maharaj #Philander #INDvsSA #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/DBacdPAzAo

— Nikhil Rapolu (@rapolu_nikhil) October 12, 2019

India might not enforce the follow on, add another 150 and give them bat tomorrow by Mid lunch session.#INDvsSA #INDvSA

— Himanshu Ghiya (@him_brainteaser) October 12, 2019

Always 🙄#INDvsSA #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/GI24epjnwW

— Troll Cricket Tamil Version (@tctv1offl) October 12, 2019

*Relatives leaving without giving money*

Mom & Dad: Beta inke pair chuo

Me: #RohitSharma #INDvsSA #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/h0BuIYdfGu

— AKSAH MULE 196 (@imakashm196) October 12, 2019

Vernon Philander faced most number of balls (inns)

192 balls – Ind
143 balls – Aus
113 balls – Pak
107 balls – Aus
105 balls – Aus
98 balls – SL#IndvSA#IndvsSA

— ONE FOR ALL (@mohsinstats) October 12, 2019

R Ashwin completes his 50 Test wickets vs South Africa.#INDvSA #INDvsSA

— Akhil Gupta 🏏 (@Guptastats92) October 12, 2019

#IndvsSA No on expected South Africa to make 275. Well that means 325 runs lead for India and they will mostly bat again tomorrow morning and score as many in 2 sessions, setting a target of 500+ … leaving about 120 overs to score them.

— Vijayashankar 💙 (@vjshankar) October 12, 2019