India vs South Africa, 1st Test: Twitterati praise Hardik Pandya's matured all-round performance

New Delhi: All-rounder Hardik Pandya has made a name for himself and his performance in India's first Test against South Africa has further added to his popularity and skill-set, taking it beyond the limited-overs arena.

After bowling out the Proteas for 286 on a grassy Newlands pitch on the first day of the match, the visitors lost their top order in quickly and were seven down before the 100-mark, in danger of being bowled out for less than 150. But the 24-year old Pandya had other plans while stitching a 99-run partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The Baroda dasher proved his mettle and maturity by hitting an aggressive counter-attacking 93-run knock off 95 balls that helped India cut down on SA's first-innings lead. His knock included 14 fours and a six.

Pandya came in to bat at a stage when India were losing wickets in a hurry. But his partnership with Bhuvneshwar (25) helped India cross the 200-mark in conditions that offered pacers help in the air as well as off the pitch.

Pandya's score is also the fourth highest by an Indian on maiden innings in South Africa. The seam-up allrounder then came back to take two wickets in South Africa's second innings before close of play on the second day.

The Twitterati couldn't help but applaud Pandya's effort as he almost single-handedly kept India in the match after a top-order batting failure

Well done @hardikpandya7 great intent,approach,fighting spirit.. This inn will give you lots of confidence..Good to see you r chipping in with ball as well by taking those 2 wickets.. keep going..guys let’s do it tom @BCCI #INDvSA — Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) 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

One's stature as a player increases when one scores overseas and against an attack comprising Steyn, Rabada, Morkel & Philander when everyone else has struggled, Hardik Pandya shows how it is done. Privilege to watch that 93.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 6, 2018

All those who mocked and laughed when Hardik Pandya was called India’s Ben Stokes. Look who’s having the last laugh! — Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) January 6, 2018

The thing about Hardik Pandya’s innings was that he played the unorthodox shots out of choice & not out of insecurity. Absolutely brilliant innings!#SAvIND#HardikPandya — Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 6, 2018

Fastest Test fifties for India in South Africa:

40 balls - MS Dhoni, Centurion, 2010
46 balls - Virender Sehwag, Centurion, 2010
46 balls - HARDIK PANDYA, Cape Town, 2018#SAvIND — Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 6, 2018

Fastest Test fifties for India in South Africa:

40 balls - MS Dhoni, Centurion, 2010
46 balls - Virender Sehwag, Centurion, 2010
46 balls - HARDIK PANDYA, Cape Town, 2018#SAvIND

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 6, 2018

India were bowled out for 209 runs, which gave the hosts a lead of 77 runs. Most of the Indian batsmen struggled to come to terms with the seam movement on the Newlands track and were caught behind the stumps, as the South Africans managed to take wickets at regular intervals.

Apart from Pandya, Bhuvneshwar showed his grit to let the all-rounder play his natural game. South Africa ended the second day on 65/2 and are leading India by 142 runs.