Cape Town: Hardik Pandya’s all-round efforts lifted up India’s spirits after they were bowled out for 209 in their first innings on the second day of the first test match against South Africa on Saturday.
Resuming the day at 28/3, India needed an inspirational knock from someone and they didn’t really find it until they were reduced to 76/5 when Pandya was at the crease for his first innings in South Africa. The youngster, who has impressed in the limited opportunities he has got across formats once again turned out to be the hero for the visitors when the entire batting unit was collapsing around him.
Pandya batted with some swagger as he hit 14 fours and one six to score a gritty 93 to save India the blushes as he brought down the deficit to just 77 runs. The all-rounder in the process also became the fourth highest run scorer for India in a maiden innings in South Africa after Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag and Praveen Amre. His 99-run partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar also was the second fifty-plus stand for the eighth wicket for India in South Africa after Praveen Amre and Kiran More’s 101-run partnership in Durban in the year 1992.
Although the young all-rounder missed out on a well-deserved debut hundred in South Africa, he lifted India out of trouble and helped them reduce the deficit as much as possible. On a pitch where big guns like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay failed to make any impact whatsoever, the young Pandya batted with responsibility and determination to star for India with the bat.
For South Africa, Vernon Philander (3/33) and Kagiso Rabada (3/34) were the most successful bowlers. Dale Steyn ended with two wickets and also became he fastest to 100 Tests in South Africa but the home side were dealt with a major blow when he injured his left heel and thus will be out for four to six weeks, which effectively rules him out for the remainder of the Test series. Morne Morkel also took two wickets.
Having gained a slender 77-run lead, he South African openers-Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar stitched a 52-run stand before both were sent back by Pandya to leave the hosts at 65/2 at the close of play on the second day.
Brief scores-
South Africa 65/2 (Aiden Markram 34, Dean Elgar 25; Hardik Pandya 2/17) lead
India 209 all out (Hardik Pandya 93, Cheteshwar Pujara 26; Vernon Philander 3/33) by 142 runs