Team India started the second day on 28/3. However, fall of Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and R Ashwin left India at 92/7 and staring in the face of conceding a big first innings lead.
But Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya got together and stitched a 99 run partnership for the 8th wicket. But the man of the moment proved to be Hardik Pandya, who took on the South African fast bowlers and scored a brisk 93 off 95 balls.
Everyone who had doubts on the technique of Pandya on the bouncing pitches of South Africa, should be beyond satisfied after this wonderful knock of his.
Even the cricket fraternity was in awe with Hardik’s brilliant innings of 93 and took to Twitter to applaud what can be described as one of the best innings by an Indian batsman in South Africa.
Here are the tweets:
Proteas getting a bit carried away by sheer pace when all The Indn tail needed was straight bowling at the stumps..clearly the host attack was rattled by @hardikpandya7 & his unwritten batting script...All fr the benefit of Team India if I may add..!!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) January 6, 2018
The thing about Hardik Pandya’s innings was that he played the unorthodox shots out of choice & not out of insecurity. Absolutely brilliant innings!????????????#SAvIND#HardikPandya
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 6, 2018
Intent makes such a big difference. So proud of Hardik for a really special counter-attacking innings.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 6, 2018
Hope the bowlers do something special in the second innings.#SAvIND
One's stature as a player increases when one scores overseas and against an attack comprising Steyn, Rabada, Morkel & Philander when everyone else has struggled, Hardik Pandya shows how it is done. Privilege to watch that 93.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 6, 2018
Some 90s are more valuable than many 100s....Pandya’s innings of 93 was one of those. Well played. #SAvIND
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 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
93 was as good as any test hundred you will see in recent times. @hardikpandya7 belongs here. What an effort from the young man. Full Marks to Bhuvi for hanging in there as well #SAvsIND
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) January 6, 2018
