'Disappointed' Hardik Pandya Thank His Fans For Support, Vows To Come Back Harder And Stronger

The Cape Town Test started on a stunning note for Hardik Pandya. The highly-rated allrounder took the important wicket of Faf du Plessis in the first innings as India bowled the Proteas out for a modest 286. However, it was his batting that further elevated his stature as one of most sought-after allrounders in international cricket.

India were staring down the barrel when Pandya came to the crease. The 24-year old joined Ravichandran Ashwin when the visitors were reeling at 76 for five and soon got reduced to 92 for seven. With South Africa pacers looking in their elements, Pandya was tested to the fullest early on.

However, he managed to keep his wicket intact and displayed remarkable quality to bail India out of trouble. Unlike his teammates, he took the attack to the hosts and raced away to his second Test fifty off just 46 balls. He continued batting in the same manner but went on to miss a well-deserved century by just seven runs. However, his brilliant knock helped India to recover from a precarious position and post a respectable 209.

He went on to even more impact on the game by taking two quick wickets to help India claw their way back into the game. South Africa were off to a strong with their openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram adding 52 runs for the first wicket before being dismissed by Pandya in quick succession. The game, however, ended on a disappointing note both for Pandya as well as India as they lost the series-opener by 72 runs. Pandya could score only 1 in the second innings, as India were all out for just 135 in pursuit of 208.

But despite his failure with the bat in the second innings, Pandya has been lauded from all quarters. The India all-rounder also made sure to thank all for their wishes as he took to Twitter to express his gratitude for the support and vowed that the team would come back stronger in the next Test.

‘Grateful for all your wishes and support throughout the first test. Disappointed that we fell short the way we did. We will come back harder and stronger in Pretoria!

Grateful for all your wishes and support throughout the first test. Disappointed that we fell short the way we did. We will come back harder and stronger in Pretoria! #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->L<!---->U<!---->C<!---->J<!---->t<!---->T<!---->c<!---->x<!---->7<!---->3

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

The second match of the series will be played in Centurion from January 13.

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