There were plenty of hopes from the Indian Test team as they embarked on their tour of South Africa having won 9 consecutive Test series on the trot. However, the world No. 1 Test team couldn’t quite prove their mettle in the overseas conditions once again. In particular, the Indian batsmen have been found out throughout the four innings of both the Tests against South Africa.
After conceding the first Test by 72 runs in Cape Town, it was expected that Virat Kohli and company will bounce back in the second Test. Despite getting a subcontinent-like pitch at SuperSport Park in Centurion, Indian batsmen couldn’t able to adjust their game as the visitors got bundled out for 307 and 151 in their two innings respectively.
None of the Indian batters barring Virat Kohli (153 off 217 balls) crossed the mark of 50 in the first innings while Rohit Sharma was the highest run-scorer in the second innings with 47.
After such a miserable show, the backlash from Twitteratis was pretty much expected. Let’s have a look at some of the tweets criticizing Team India’s poor performance:
Bowling stood up. Batting-fielding didn’t. Opportunity lost. #SAvIND
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 17, 2018
No easy fixes for India really. Kohli - 191 runs. Vijay+Dhawan+Rahul+Pujara+Rohit = 242 runs. Dismal doesn't even begin to describe it. #SAvIND
— Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) January 17, 2018
And so it ends. All that optimism. All that positivity. All that hope. Snuffed out. South Africa 2-0. Series done and dusted before heading to Wanderers. #SAvIND
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) January 17, 2018
Abject, pathetic, spineless #IndiaBatting
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 17, 2018
A much anticipated series and it ends in an easy win for South Africa. I thought this was India's best chance but how wrong that was!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 17, 2018
A good day for @OfficialCSA teams. Seniors wrapping up the test series vs India and the Under 19’s booking their place in the #U19CWC quarter finals!
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) January 17, 2018
So what, even if India lose the next test they will still be number one ☝️ #SAvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 17, 2018
Congratulations to SA for taking the series. Dream debut for Ngidi.. The margin of victory must hurt the Indian batting line up. Couldn't match the fight put up by the bowlers. Would take something special to recover.. #IndvSA
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) January 17, 2018