Who said only fielders can trouble the batsmen with their constant blabbering? Even the vice versa is possible, ask South African team. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya kept on talking during their partnership and that has slightly revived the Indian team.
When Bhuvneshwar Kumar swung his bat and was beaten, Hardik Pandya spoke, “1 to lagegi maar” (one will ultimately connect). That is exactly what Pandya has been doing in this innings. The duo were constantly talking amongst themselves and were backing each other as well as themselves brilliantly.
India reached 185/7 at tea after losing three quick wickets after lunch on the second day of the first Test in Cape Town. Pandya and Bhuvi were batting on 81 and 24 runs respectively at break. South Africa had scored 286 runs in their first innings after opting to bat first.
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Hardik Pandya started the way he loves and ever since then he has been cracking shots all around the park. With attacking shots being unleashed, South African bowlers started getting on the backfoot, field started spreading and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya grew in confidence.
India lost their most trusted hero, Cheteshwar Pujara, the very first ball after the lunch. Ashwin followed 5 runs later and Wriddhiman Saha was out for nought. But what followed brought back joy on face.
Pandya scored his second fifty of the career and Bhuvneshwar just ensured that his partner doesn’t run out of partner by holding one end. When the 50-partnership completed, Bhuvi had contributed just 2. However he has also started changing colours.
Fortune supports the brave
Pandya was given a reprieve early in the innings when he was dropped in the gully area. He also survived a caught appeal which he got overturned with DRS. Quincton de Kock then missed a stumping chance to further help Pandya.