SA vs IND,2nd Test: Twitter Reacts As Virat Kohli Leads India's Charge

After the lukewarm outing in the first Test, Virat Kohli held firm from one end, scoring a fine unbeaten fifty to lead India’s reply to South Africa’s first innings total of 335 as the visitors finished day two on 183 for 5.

After wrapping up the South African innings inside the first session, India openers made a cautious start adding 28 runs before the visitors lost two wickets on consecutive deliveries. KL Rahul, who had replaced Shikhar Dhawan in the playing eleven for the ongoing Test, was the first to depart after offering a return catch to Morne Morkel. On the very next delivery, Cheteshwar Pujara was run out for a golden duck.

Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli then steadied the ship with a 79-run stand before Keshav Maharaj broke the stand by dismissing the opener for 46. Rohit Sharma then failed to grab another chance in Test, getting dismissed for just 10 as India were reduced to 132 for 4.

Kohli was then joined in by Parthiv Patel as the duo took the innings forward. But just when it  looked Kohli and Patel would help India close the day without suffering any further setback, debutant Lungi Ngidi dismissed Patel for 19. Kohli and Hardik Pandya then helped the visitors close the day on 183 for 5. Kohli was unbeaten on 85 while Pandya was unbeaten on 11.

Earlier in the day, South Africa could add only 66 runs to their overnight score of 269 for 6.  India  did not have to wait long to get the first breakthrough of the morning as Mohammed Shami accounted for Keshav Maharaj after the hosts could add only 13 runs. A good partnership between skipper Faf du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada then helped the Proteas cross the 300-run mark but before the stand could inflict more damage on the visitors, Ishant Sharma sent back Rabada to end the 42-run stand. 9 runs later, Ishant struck again, this time taking the prized scalp of du Plessis before Ashwin wrapped up the innings on 335.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:

It looks a different game of cricket with Virat Kohli at the crease. Top players do that

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 14, 2018

Compact defence, delectable strokes and assertive body language: Super display yet by @imVkohli

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 14, 2018

Virat Kohli has looked the best batsman on this pitch. And he came out playing his shots at 28 for 2.

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 14, 2018

https://twitter.com/Sajjanlaunda/status/952555520040173568

https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/952556850922250241

Rahane’s career looking better with every innings that he doesn’t play. #Rohit #SAvIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 14, 2018

Virat Kohli almost seems in awe of Rohit Sharma's 'talent'.. Just cannot look past him ! Might even drop himself one day to fit Rohit into the playing XI ! #BestMates #Dostana #SAvsInd

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) January 14, 2018

*At passport office*

Rohit Sharma: Sir mujhe apna passport Renew karana hae

Officer: Bhai Rehne de tu karega kya bahar jaake #IndvsSA

— naushad (@naushad1002) January 14, 2018

Rohit Sharma's Test averages:

vs South Africa – 9.27
vs England – 17
vs Australia – 28.33
vs Sri Lanka – 59.85
vs West Indies – 112.66#SAvsInd

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) January 14, 2018

Rohit Sharma shall remain like the potential energy which didn't convert into kinetic energy.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 14, 2018

Why QDK behaving like Aussies?
Appealing for everything.

— ?? ? ? (@cricdrugs) January 14, 2018

WHAT THE HELL PUJARA!!
Ran yourself out on the first ball. Where was all your patience this time? #SAvIND

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) January 14, 2018

zindagi na milegi pujara #sorry #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 14, 2018

Well done by the bowlers to get SA all out for 335 . Had we held on to our catches it would have been so much better. Now onus on the batsmen to get a decent lead.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 14, 2018