Twitter Reactions: Proteas lead by 142 runs while Pandya shines as an all-rounder

Day 2 saw some gutsy performances from both the sides. India resumed from their overnight score of 28/3. Both the batsmen showed tremendous character to stay at the crease in the first hour. However, Rohit Sharma finally missed one from Kagiso Rabada and was adjudged lbw.

Cheteshwar Pujara displayed wonderful resilience spending his time at the crease in a really tough phase and batted for 92 balls. However, he was dismissed on the first ball after lunch as India were 76/5. The likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha followed soon and they were reduced to 92/7.

The way South African pace attack was charging in and bowling just the perfect line and length, it seemed the Indian innings won’t last long. The quartet of Rabada, Morkel, Steyn and Philander kept troubling the batsmen. However, Hardik Pandya had other plans.

He alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar stitched a stupendous partnership worth 99 runs for the 8th wicket. While Pandya kept scoring runs at a splendid pace, Bhuvneshwar from the other end continued to hang along at the crease. Bhuvneshwar got out scoring 25 (86).

Pandya scored magnificent 93 runs with a display of brilliant shot-making, he went after all the bowlers and was the most effective man with the bat. India were restricted to a total of 209 runs as Proteas had a 77-run lead. The duo of Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada got three wickets each. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel also got a couple of dismissals individually.

South Africa were on a roll when they came out to bat. Both the openers combined for a 52-run partnership for the first wicket. Aiden Makram looked to be in good touch before a misjudged got him out. Dean Elgar followed as Pandya accounted for both the breakthroughs. The Proteas were 65/2 at stumps on Day 2.

Twitter had a splendid time throughout the day. In yet another day where the momentum kept swinging between both sides, South Africa managed to have the last laugh. Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were lauded for their wonderful partnership. Rohit Sharma and Saha were trolled.

Here are some of the best Twitter reactions from the course of Day 2:

Yeh partnership 50 run aur chali toh people will start discussing team selection for next match

— dorku (@Dorkstar) January 6, 2018

maybe ashwin is batting higher than he should and bowling later than he should #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 6, 2018

Wickets lo bhai pic.twitter.com/jTP9Z1KGgJ

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 6, 2018

Just like yesterday all the gains of today (very little) are being blown away in the last hour.

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) January 6, 2018

Pandya took that wicket for Team India and most importantly for SunnyG #SAVIND

— cricBC (@cricBC) January 6, 2018

Runs bhi Hardik banaye.
Wicket bhi Hardik banaye.

Baaki khilaadi Kohli ke honeymoon pe aaye hain kya?#INDvSA

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 6, 2018

Intent makes such a big difference. So proud of Hardik for a really special counter-attacking innings.
Hope the bowlers do something special in the second innings.#SAvIND

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 6, 2018

Variations are good, lengths are better but the Saffers are consistent with maintaining the runrate. Not going well for India. #SAvIND

— Samreen (@SamreenRazzaqui) January 6, 2018

Maharaj did get it to turn. Kohli would do well to bring on Ashwin soon. Else this might get away pretty quickly.. #SAvInd

— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) January 6, 2018

Proteas came out to bat with an intent to keep scoring. Good that or defending would simply put the pressure.

— Arfan ? (@Im__Arfan) January 6, 2018

Vijay,Pujara,Dhawan all out to poor shots,doesnt help when you have four quality pacers at you,certainly could have had Rahul & Rahane in the line up.. #SAvIND

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) January 6, 2018

Markram looks like a player who needs to be removed in the first 10 overs otherwise he will bajao you If swing stops. #SAvIND

— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) January 6, 2018

‘I won’t poke outside off’
‘I won’t poke outside off’
‘I won’t poke outside off’
‘I won’t poke outside off’

RATTA MAAR LO SAB!! #SAvIND

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 6, 2018

Whatever Pandya gets is free dhaniya for us. #SAvIND

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) January 6, 2018

hardik pandya waiting for keshav maharaj to bowl #IndvsSA pic.twitter.com/STUASygI93

— shrikant kirwale (@shrikantkirwal1) January 6, 2018

Sanjay Manjrekar is next level panauti. Jinxed Pandya's century.

Today:
"Pandya is going to score his second century.."
*OUT NEXT BALL*

2 weeks ago:
"Rohit Sharma is going to score the first T20 200"
*OUT NEXT BALL"

— Sripad (@falsewinger) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya is walking back 2 feet taller. Well done man. May this series seal your Test spot forever.

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 6, 2018

"Hardik Pandya showing world that the number of runs matter & not the number of wedding receptions" #overheard ??

— Ojas. (@Ojasism) January 6, 2018

In this Test, Bhuvneshwar’s been the most valuable Indian player thus far….his never-say-die attitude makes him special. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 6, 2018

Gujratis shined at South Africa:
Mahatma Gandhi and Hardik Pandya.#SAvIND

— Swagato Roy (@RoySwagato) January 6, 2018

Other Indian Batsmen : Bowl is swinging & bouncing , its very difficult to bat.

Hardik Pandya :#SAvIND #INDvSA #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/YPgXw5So7J

— Boring… (@graphicalcomic) January 6, 2018

? If Dale Steyn doesn't get you, Kagiso Rabada will.
? If Kagiso Rabada doesn't get you, Morné Morkel will.
? If Morné Morkel doesn't get you, Vernon Philander will.

? South Africa's bowling attack.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/V9C5XfK4SS

— bet365 (@bet365) January 6, 2018

Markram reminds me of Kallis. Am I the only one? #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 6, 2018

Indian lower batting order frustrating the opposition is refreshingly satisfying. It's like Jimmy Shergill getting the girl in the end of a movie.
#SAvIND

— Bollywood Gandu (@BollywoodGandu) January 6, 2018

Dean Elgar should be removed from the slips…forever #SAvIND

— Henry Dube (@HenryDube72) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya didnt just attack. This was a sensible, cleverly played innings. Has risen many notches as a player.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 6, 2018

Pandya is a cheat code

— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) January 6, 2018

pandya is now the top run scorer in the match #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 6, 2018

Reactions from the dressing room after India avoided the follow-on…. #SAvInd pic.twitter.com/aFon2Nox1Z

— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) January 6, 2018

India lost three wickets last night…around the same time…need to pick 3 to stay alive. Brilliant fight back but the fact is that…India still too far behind. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 6, 2018

Current scenario in the Indian dressing room.. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/ysfnPmbu0J

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 6, 2018