Twitter Reactions: Virat Kohli keeps hopes alive as India stay afloat at 183/5

Day 2 in Centurion saw some stunning cricketing action with both teams progressing neck to neck. After being reduced to 267/6 from 246/3 overnight, South Africa didn’t lose a wicket in the first 40 minutes of play. Mohammed Shami got the breakthrough as he had Keshav Maharaj edge one to Parthiv Patel.

However, India had to wait a while for the next wicket. There were a couple of chances created by Ravichandran Ashwin off consecutive balls. Both of them were dropped by Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya. Rabada was finally dismissed by Ishant Sharma as Pandya held on to a stunner this time.

The last couple of wickets were quick to follow as the Proteas were restricted to 335. Faf du Plessis managed to score a half century before getting out. Ashwin was the pick amongst the bowlers as he got four wickets. Ishant also got three wickets.

Coming out to bat, India were off to a good start. However, they followed it with a part of brain fade pretty quick. Right after KL Rahul’s dismissal, Cheteshwar Pujara went for a suicidal run and ended up with a golden duck. Of all the batsmen, you’d expect Pujara to be the last one to commit such a harakiri. India were 28/2 in no time.

Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli managed to rescue the team from an early slump. Both ensured they didn’t lose any more wicket in the second session. Just when it seemed the visitors were gaining an upper hand in the game, Vijay got out. While Kohli went on to complete his half century, Vijay fell four runs short.

Rohit Sharma continued to prove his selection wrong as he was set up brilliantly by Kagiso Rabada. Parthiv Patel looked good playing his shots before he edged one to Quinton de Kock and he was Lungi Ngidi’s first Test wicket.

India were 183/5 at stumps on Day 2. Hardik Pandya was at the crease alongside Virat who was not out on 85. All the bowlers excluding Vernon Philander got a wicket each. If the first half of the day saw Kohli being trolled for dropping a slip catch, he was applauded in the next half for his wonderful batting amidst the team’s failure.

Here we present to you some of the best Twitter reactions from today’s play:

Parthiv patel has been playing test cricket for last 16 years, also looking like a 16 years old for last 16 years.

— LOLendra Singh (@LOLendraSingh) January 14, 2018

Plenty of them said this is a flat deck. Yes, it is relatively slower compared to a typical Centurion track but not a flat deck.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) January 14, 2018

Lungi bowling as per team plan – not as per ego.#SAvsIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 14, 2018

Half of the team back in the pavilion, still trailing by 150 runs, last session, yet the batsman chasing the bowl on the off side to hit, and the bowler bowling wide deliveries. That's the mental strength of Pandya.

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 14, 2018

Another day of tough test cricket but it has been Kohli vs South Africa.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 14, 2018

Morkel is not a bad bowler. And yet, he has not looked as challenging as Rabada here.

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) January 14, 2018

Parthiv Patel got out because tomorrow is Monday and he has to go to school. #SAvIND

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 14, 2018

“current form” hasn’t quite translated into runs #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 14, 2018

Brisk innings by Parthiv after the fall of Rohit. Pandya in next. MI looking good for a big one. #SAvInd https://t.co/PhykJNakhn

— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) January 14, 2018

Rohit Sharma in South Africa

in 2013
14, 6, 0, 25

in 2018
11, 10, 10

Total: 76 Runs, 10.85 Avg#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/K2LK2e6KM8

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) January 14, 2018

Rahane’s career looking better with every innings that he doesn’t play. #Rohit #SAvIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 14, 2018

Plenty of rough created, India will miss batsmen who can also bowl a bit of spin. #SAvIND

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 14, 2018

For far too long, many have been seduced by the possibilities with Rohit Sharma. He has possibly only one more innings to repay their faith. Those easy runs against Sri Lanka are now distant memory

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 14, 2018

Rahul & Pujara didn't score runs because they don't want to be dropped in the next test. #INDvSA

— Azor Ahai (@DarrKeAage) January 14, 2018

* Ishant sharma took ABD and duplesis wicket. *
Bhuvneshvar kumar –#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/9tEkEOM4RN

— Hunट₹₹♂ (@nickhunterr) January 14, 2018

In a game that has already seen 3 run outs, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are batting together.. #SAvIND

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 14, 2018

It's time India think of a proper Cricket coach and not just someone who says colorful words to the press and relax later with a beer. He is neither getting technical changes to the batsmen nor to the bowlers. #INDvSA

— Adarsh (@chaddi_chikka) January 14, 2018

Rohit sharma is like the spoilt kid who beats his little siblings at home but gets kicked in the ass at school. #INDvSA

— Ovais Wani (@Ovais_) January 14, 2018

#INDvSA Bhuvi would have played better than Rohit sharma.

— Hannibal Lectar (@hiyaok) January 14, 2018

Evergreen pic pic.twitter.com/H3jSdgWyxL

— Abhishek (@absycric) January 14, 2018

Why is my favourite bowler Bhuvi is not in the team ?
Does Kohli only love Sharmas!
*Ishant Anushka Rohit*#SAvIND

— Pari (@ParinaazIsHere) January 14, 2018

Whether Centurion or Chepauk? Shastri's "home is away, away is home" quote seems true now.#SAvIND

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) January 14, 2018

I expect to see Pujara’s brother furiously storming out of the ground after that ridiculous run out. #SAvIND

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) January 14, 2018

Don't know about the team missing Rahane with the bat, but the bowlers will definitely be missing him the field. #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) January 14, 2018

This is what happens when Pujara starts playing for runs. ? #SAvIND

— Manya (@CSKian716) January 14, 2018

There was talk before the Test about Pujara's strike-rate. 0 off 1 ball not bad. #SAvIND

— Cricket365 (@Cricket365) January 14, 2018

Pujara showing solidarity to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rahane.
Bhai, if you aren't playing – neither am I.#SAvIND

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 14, 2018

All those who were saying why Saha playing in the team.
It's the right time to realise that.#SAvIND

— Athar ? (@cricdrugs) January 14, 2018

This is a run out pitch #SAvIND

— vidooshak-golandaaz (@oponcr) January 14, 2018

not sure who will get dropped for the next test, but kohli definitely needs to drop himself from the slips #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 14, 2018

Fafdu and Rabada sound like an Indian dessert.
And our bowlers aren't enjoying the taste.#SAvIND

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 14, 2018

Stop paying commentators.. we are happy with Stump mic picks.. #SAvIND

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) January 14, 2018

Keshav Maharaj is the first South African spinner in over 100 years to bowl the first over in the first innings. #SAvIND

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 14, 2018

Tide, Complan & Dabur Amla Hair Oil's advertisement in one pic#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Js4GUhY85y

— Sunil (@akshaykanitkar) January 14, 2018

Rabada in the middle of a good spell…Ngidi should be next from his end. Love the contest. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 14, 2018