Twitter Reactions: Parthiv Patel comes in to bat after keeping for over 150 overs

The little dynamo from Gujarat never ceases to amaze. Ever since Parthiv Patel made his international debut way back in 2002, he has been making the news. He made a giant entry to the world stage as a 17-year-old. The cricket fraternity went gaga about the newest young entrant back then. He lost his plot and soon found himself out of the team.

Then came the next comeback in the Indian side after 6 years in 2008. He could not do much and failed to make the most of the chance that he got. He was bestowed with yet another go after 8 long years when he was called back in the Indian team for the England series. He was drafted in the side as a replacement for injured Wriddhiman Saha. Saha, who is tipped as the best wicketkeeper in the country, had left a big void for Parthiv to fill.

Make no mistake, Parthiv did it with utmost ease. In the Mohali Test where he staged his comeback, he was given the all important opener’s position. He did not disappoint and scored a gritty 40-odd score on his return. A better performance followed thereafter. The second innings saw Parthiv Patel come out all guns blazing as he smashed a quickfire unbeaten 67 to help India win the match by 8 wickets. Now Patel has done yet another thing that the social media is going crazy about.

The Gujarat wicket-keeper was on the field for 157.2 overs of the England innings in the Chennai Test. Any player would have felt the fatigue getting into that scheme of things. Being a wicketkeeper needs a great deal of concentration. And for having done that for over 150 overs is commendable. Things did not end just there. In absence of Murali Vijay, Parthiv Patel was promoted to open the innings with KL Rahul. He gave a solid start to India as the hosts ended on 60/0 on the day 2.

Patel remained unbeaten on 29. The Twitter world praised Parthiv for coming in to bat after keeping for 157 overs in the field. Here are some of the best tweets:

Parthiv Patel kept the wickets for 157 overs in 5 sessions. Opened the batting in the 6th session. #IndvsEng #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/AeWgZPhKVV

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 17, 2016

Hats off to Parthiv!
Puts his hand up to do the tough job in tests. Yet again, 157 overs of keeping & ready to open the innings.?

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 17, 2016

This is a hugely admirable performance from @parthiv9. Behind the wickets for 157 overs in Chennai and then playing 20 tricky overs. Top!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 17, 2016

Parthiv patel held wickets behind the stump for 157 overs in 5 sessions, yet he came to bat as an opener. Really, he is a grown up cricketer

— Abhishek (@imAbhishek_J) December 17, 2016

477 in the bank. Rahul struggling with form. Parthiv is a part-time opener. Fatigue of 157 overs. Fielder at Deep Point…seriously, Cook?

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 17, 2016

Need to admire @parthiv9 efforts… keeping 157 overs and opening thereafter!

— Swapnil Adsul (@ItsDreamer_06) December 17, 2016

Huge shoutout to Parthiv Patel batting 20 overs after 157 overs of tiresome wicket keeping is not an easy job ..#IndvsEng @parthiv9

— Fazil (@FazilforU) December 17, 2016

My respect for @parthiv9 has increased immensely.157 overs is a long time to keep wickets n then opening d innings-incredible! Well done,boy

— Vidya Sharada (@vidyasharada) December 17, 2016

A gutsy @parthiv9 opens for team India after keeping wickets for a staggering 157 overs… Commendable display of character. #TeamMan

— Suryasnata Tripathy (@surya_956) December 17, 2016

After keeping of 157 overs behind the stumps, now he batted 20 overs what. Great resistance @parthiv9

— Manjullllll! (@manjunathpatne) December 17, 2016