Hardik Pandya’s blond streak looks like a burning flame above the forehead. Chances are it could well be the tip of the raging fire that burns in his belly. On a pitch where India’s more-accomplished batsmen struggled, Pandya showed that cricket is kind to those with a stout heart.
He showed that an uncanny knack of connecting bat to ball, unflagging self-belief, fearlessness and a high pain-threshold can see a cricketer rise through the ranks — from T20Is to now Tests — with his reputation intact.
He showed that Test cricket wasn’t only for the specialists, for bits-and-pieces gutsy cricketers with dyed hair too could hold their own on a field full of men in white.
Pandya’s 95-ball 93 at number 7 had many dimensions and it changed a number of equations. It added heft to the Indian total and reduced the deficit. India, after the long struggle to reach 100, finished at 209. And South Africa’s lead that once threatened to be in three-digits was a mere 77.
By stumps, South Africa increased their lead to 142. They finished the day at 65/2, with Pandya’s adrenalin rush continuing till the last session. He ran in fast, hit the deck, kept the ball on the off-stump, clocked in the high 130s, got the openers and finished with figures of 2/17.
Twitter had a splendid time throughout the day 2. In yet another day where the momentum kept swinging between both sides, South Africa managed to have the last laugh. But, Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were lauded for their wonderful partnership.
Here are some of the Twitter reactions:
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
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
https://twitter.com/Imyogi05raturi/status/949670776625553408
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
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
#Hardikpandya doing a Ben stokes on proteas ! #Ind
— Sumukh Herlekar (@sumukh_herlekar) January 6, 2018
Ravi Shastri welcoming Hardik Pandya into the dressing room 👏🏻#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/2dOsyTMccN
— The Lol Buddhu (@lolbuddhu) January 6, 2018
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is like a studious boy who just wants do good in all the exams. #INDvSA
— Vishnu B (@_vishnu_b) January 6, 2018
"Hardik Pandya showing world that the number of runs matter & not the number of wedding receptions" #overheard 😑😂
— 🇮🇳 (@Ojasism) January 6, 2018
Well played, Pandya. Carried Indian innings on his shoulders. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/CKcenSqWcz
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) January 6, 2018
“Rohit ka, Dhawan ka, Pujara ka, sabka badla lega re tera Pandya”#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/M2Ei2pqp3m
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) January 6, 2018
Sensible, calm and much needed innings by @hardikpandya7 helped #India to reach 209
Also we cannot forget @BhuviOfficial for his contribution initially with ball n now with bat..#FreedomSeries #SAvIND #INDvSA— Gururaj Deshpande 🇮🇳 (@gururajmadhav) January 6, 2018
Bhuvneshwar Kumar added crucial 99 run partnership with Hardik Pandya #SAvIND #1stTest pic.twitter.com/8V3ZUqLNP6
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/Cricketician_/status/949648504602861569
Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar really fought through. A super partnership… hope it inspires the rest of the team.#SAvIND
— Shruti Chopra (@itstarot) January 6, 2018
If you drive like that to Dale Steyn you definitely deserve a bat sponsor ! Cmon sponsors. Well played Bhuvneshwar Kumar
— Sreenu Shavali🇮🇳 (@ShavaliSreenu) January 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/ImRo450/status/949640985159479297
