Team India put up a much improved show on the second day of the ongoing third Test at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Thursday (January 25). After being bowled out for 187 in the first innings on a green mamba, Virat Kohli and company up their game by many folds and restricted the Proteas to only 194.
Resuming their innings after being 6 for 1 at stumps on Day 1, South Africa didn’t had the best of start on the second day as they lost Dean Elgar when the score was just 16. Even though veteran Hashim Amla along with the nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada put on a 64-run stand for the third wicket, the hosts batsmen didn’t look comfortable against the fiery Indian pace attack. None of the Proteas batter except for Amla (61 off 121) crossed the mark of 50.
Jasprit Bumrah claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket while Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalped three wickets. India finished the second day on 49-1, having secured the vital lead of 42 runs. It wouldn’t be unfair to say that the world No. 1 Test team perhaps had the best day at the office in their ongoing South Africa tour. No wonder, the Twitter world was buzzing with the praise of India’s stellar show.
Here’s how the Twitterverse reacted:
Terrific from India. We are very much in the game and need to maintain the intensity and get them quickly.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 25, 2018
Top draw @Jaspritbumrah93 #whitelooksgoodonyou
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) January 25, 2018
Since SA has to bat last, they need a sizeable lead...which won’t be easy considering the conditions and Indian bowling. Sense an Indian win. Early call. #SAvIND
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 25, 2018
He made his debut in the first match. By match 3 he is already a seasoned, reliable bowler for Virat. Well done Jasprit Bumrah! ????????????????
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 25, 2018
Well done @Jaspritbumrah93 for ur 1st 5 wicket haul in test cricket..let’s bat well guys anything over 175 is gonna be winning total I guess the way ball is behaving #IndvSA Come on guys let’s do this ????????????????
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 25, 2018
Great work by our bowlers and hearty congratulations, @Jaspritbumrah93 for your maiden five-for. Need a couple of good partnerships now. C'mon #TeamIndia! pic.twitter.com/rfBKCcJnpP
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 25, 2018
Shabash, @Jaspritbumrah93! Well done on the five-for???????? This match is going to have a great finish???? pic.twitter.com/GsL4w3cADR
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) January 25, 2018
Congratulations to @Jaspritbumrah93 for his maiden five wicket haul in Tests. Brilliant spell by @BhuviOfficial too. Let's keep it going and win this one Team India! ???? #SAvIND
— Manoj Tiwary (@tiwarymanoj) January 25, 2018
I love Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Has to be one of the most likeable cricketers. Superb skills and keeps on building the pressure. India need to capitalize now.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 25, 2018