It’s been a strange day for team India, as Indian fans experienced despair, optimism, hope and then despair again on the first day of the third test match.
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Electing to bat on a green top in Johannesburg, India wanted their openers to give them a strong foundation. But the South African bowlers were in no mood to let in, as Philander and Rabada dismissed the Rahul and Vijay respectively.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli then walked to the middle, as India needed their captain to put on another great performance for his team.
At 13-2, both Kohli and Pujara had to hang around and put up a partnership, something that India has not been able to do through out the series.
The pair put on 87 important runs for the third wicket, as both Kohli and Pujara hung in there on a difficult pitch. While Pujara battled for every run, Kohli took his chances against the bowlers, as he was never shy of playing his shots.
The Proteas were untidy on the pitch, as they dropped Kohli twice in his innings. First Philander misjudged a relatively simple catch, before AB de Villiers dropped a sitter in the slips.
Kohli eventually brought up his half century, as the Indian skipper brought up yet another landmark. India needed Kohli to carry on and play a long innings, if they wished to put up a huge first innings score.
But eventually his luck ran out, as Kohli edged a full delivery to AB in the slips.
After that, the Indian lineup folded pretty quickly as the South African bowlers ripped through the lower order.
Here are the twitter reactions!
Look at the reaction of Team India’s members after Puajara scored his first runs after 54 balls. #SAvIND #SAvsIND @virendersehwag pic.twitter.com/rUAX0KGn6L
— Khurram Siddiquee (@iamkhurram12) January 24, 2018
Pujara after scoring his 1st run today…#SAvIND #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/tatMOCBQRc
— Anuradha (@AnuRadha9082) January 24, 2018
Things that can be completed in 90 mins.
1. Football match.
2. Hollywood movie.
3. Pujara getting off the strike.#SAvsIND @cheteshwar1— Karan Sharma (@KaranbhaiSharma) January 24, 2018
Bhuvi is a very good bat at number 8. Don’t push him up to 7. Just like you don’t push Pandya up to 6 in these conditions this early in his career.#SAvIND #SAvsIND
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) January 24, 2018
Bhuvenshwar looking more technically equipped than the openers… #INDvSA #SAvsIND
— Srikanthan (@SrikanthanS) January 24, 2018
S.A cricket gods are on same today with the bowlers #SAvsIND #ProteaFire
Rabada you get a wicket.
Morkel you get a wicket.
Ngidi you get a wicket.
Philander you get a wicket.
Phehlukwayo you get a wicket.Y’all are getting wickets 🙌🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/PywAqvhfUU
— SIBONGILE NTULI 🇿🇦 (@Sibongile_Dust) January 24, 2018
These creatures have something in common.#SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/zh6wOOvITc
— AD0LF H1TLER (@Ad0lfHitler_IND) January 24, 2018
India won the toss and opted to bat
Rahane IN – Rohit OUT
Rohit Sharma looked good in 2nd inns of 2nd Test ,I don’t know why he has been left out !!
I think becoz of Public & media pressure of not let playing Rahane n XI.Bhuvi IN – Ashwin OUT#SAvIND #SAvsIND
— #MSDhoni (@MSDandCR7) January 24, 2018
Ajinkya Rahane :
4, 0, 2, 1, 10 against Sri Lanka.
9 against South Africa.Rohit Sharma :
102, 65, 50 against Sri Lanka.
11, 10, 10, 47 against South Africa.Who is better? 😂😂 #SAvIND #SAvsIND #RohitSharma
— Come On India 🙏🇮🇳 (@madam_jadeja) January 24, 2018
I remember getting this DM from some guy from India 😂😂😂 after I tweeted that Lungi Ngidi must take out Kohli #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/JuZeTc56Rb
— SIBONGILE NTULI 🇿🇦 (@Sibongile_Dust) January 24, 2018
KL Rahul has more tattoos in his body than runs in SA 🏏🏏 #SAvsIND #SAvIND #FreedomSeries #TeamIndia #IndvSA
— 🏏ARUN SIDD🏏 (@adyararun01) January 24, 2018
