Twitter Reactions: Pandey, Dhoni blitz takes India to 188 after rare top order failure

Team India has been in a rampaging form in the limited overs cricket in the recent times. Their domination continued with a thumping historic ODI series win against South Africa in the ongoing tour. And now, with the T20Is on the line, the Virat Kohli-led side is on the verge of creating another little piece of history. In the first T20I at the Wanderers, the visitors notched up a clinical win.

Heading in to the second game of the T20I series, the visitors are eyeing an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match series. On the other hand, as South African skipper JP Duminy cited, the hosts are considering the Centurion game to be a semi-final game. Amidst this backdrop, the action moved to the SuperSport Park. The rain in the air prompted Duminy to bowl first after winning the toss.

The move proved to be a correct one rightaway with Shikhar Dhawan being ruled out on the very first ball of the game. Luckily for team India, the decision was reviewed and it had to be overturned. But the fortunes did change soon enough. Rohit Sharma was sent packing for a golden duck by Junior Dala in the very next over. Another shocker awaited the Indian fans with Virat Kohli being dismissed cheaply on just 1.

Meanwhile, Dhawan looked class apart with his rampaging form, particularly against Chris Morris. Dhawan’s 14-ball stay at the crease yielded 24 runs before he was dismissed by JP Duminy. Suresh Raina also batted well for his 30 that came off 24 deliveries. But the real impetus to the Indian innings was given by Manish Pandey.

Also, Pandey was well supported by MS Dhoni. The two batsmen added an unbeaten 98 run stand off just 56 deliveries for the fifth wicket. En route the partnership, both batsmen scored their individual fifties. It was Pandey who dominated the partnership early on, and later, Dhoni joined the party.

Pandey remained unbeaten on 79 off 48 deliveries with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Meanwhile, Dhoni finished with an unbeaten 52 off just 28 deliveries with four boundaries and 3 maximums. India finished with 188/4 in their stipulated 20 overs. Junior Dala was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts with 2/28 to his name.

Here is how the fans reacted to India’s innings in the second T20I:

This is the ground of course where Manish Pandey made the first hundred in the IPL by an Indian #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 21, 2018

FIFTY! A tidy knock by @im_manishpandey as he brings up his 2nd T20I 50 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/6IgB3jbQb9

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 21, 2018

Virat Kohli got out for one run off Junior Dala. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Mi3pBJwjms

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 21, 2018

Morris to Dhawan:

First over – 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 – Maiden

Second over – 4, 6, 4, 0, 6, 0 – 20 runs

Not so often we see such contrasting overs in a row. #SAvInd

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 21, 2018

A modified version of "When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less." When MS doesn't perform speak less, when he performs say none coz his Willow does the talking !!! #Dhoni

— Prabhu ? ‏ (@Cricprabhu) February 21, 2018

"Where are all the Dhoni haters" "Form is temporary, class is permanent" etc etc tweets in 3…..2……1

— Tainted Super King (@TenniceFan) February 21, 2018

Not South Africa, Pandey is also facing the Dhoni's aggression….#INDvSA #SAvIND #INDvsSA

— Rahul Yadav (@rahull_yadavv) February 21, 2018

In South Africa, crowd chanting Dhoni Dhoni, what a Legend #SAvsIND

— Om Namah Shivaay ™ (@msvenky82) February 21, 2018

Back foot over cover for 6! Off a fast bowler! Shot of the day from Dhoni. Guess last over is his territory!!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2018

On your face #Dhoni haters! The man stands and delivers! Legend! Respect ? #SAvInd

— Wanderstruck (@mrslazybones) February 21, 2018

#Dhoni on ?. Watching a t 20 after long let’s gooo indiaaaaa

— Varun Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) February 21, 2018

That's what happens when Dhoni comes to bat before the 12th over!#SAvIND

— Guru official ™ (@GuRuLeaks) February 21, 2018

Dhoni haters you better don't come outta your holes. Stay there. #INDvsSA

— Prajakta Bhawsar (@ViratsFangirl18) February 21, 2018

Mahi maar raha hai.. The finished Dhoni finishes off the innings with some flurry..#SAvIND

— abhinav kaka (@kabhinav08) February 21, 2018

That is MS DHONI’s 2nd t20 fifty ? let that settle in… #dhoni

— Jordan Clark (@Clarksy16) February 21, 2018

Dhoni & Last Over

6, 4, 4, 2, 1

— Anant Upadhay (@im__anant) February 21, 2018

MS Dhoni's 52* is his 2nd highest & 2nd score of 50+ in T20Is next to his 56 v England at Bengalaru on 1 February 2017#SAvInd

— Arthur_S (@allanholloway) February 21, 2018

Happiness is watching @msdhoni hit sixes ?#legend #SAvIND

— aditya kukalyekar (@adikuks) February 21, 2018

MS Dhoni in T20Is:

First 65 inns – no fifties
Last 12 inns – 2 fifties

Both his fifties have come since he left the captaincy. #SAvInd

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 21, 2018

MS DHONI's fifty off 27 balls is the 2nd fastest by him in International cricket.

Dhoni scored a 26-ball fifty against England in the 2011 Cardiff ODI. #SAvIND

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 21, 2018

FIFTY! @msdhoni brings up his 50 off 27 balls #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Vh4KOnNgCx

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 21, 2018

Rarely is @msdhoni as intense and agitated. Well played both @msdhoni and @im_manishpandey what a finish for India. Think enough. #SAvIND

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) February 21, 2018

Bowling the final over when MS Dhoni is batting still is one of the most difficult jobs in world cricket. He will make sure you walk back disappointed. #SAvIND

— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) February 21, 2018

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