On the first day of opening Test match, Indian pacers were able to bowl out South Africa for 286 runs. But Indian batsman lost the opportunity to convert the lead to their side, as the visitors lost their top order just for 28 runs as the first day ended.

When the match began on the second day, expectations were high from Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma and once again Sharma failed to impress the audience with his bat in the overseas match. Rohit soon gifted his wicket to Rabada and following the dismissal, Ravichandran Ashwin, who was promoted up the order, joined Pujara to take India to 76/4 at lunch.

Pujara was sent back to pavilion by Philander just after lunch and following his departure Wriddhiman Saha joined Ashwin on the ground.

Later, both Ashwin and Saha were sent back by Proteas pacers and for a moment it seemed as if visitors won’t be able to cross the 150-run mark, as Virat Kohli’s side lost half of their batsman before even reaching 100 runs.

But, once again star all-rounder Hardik Pandya bailed India out. Pandya along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar added 99 runs for the eighth wicket and helped India cross the 200 runs.

The Indian cricket fans, who were earlier upset with the selection of playing eleven and dismissal of Kohli cheaply, came forward to applaud the performance of Pandya.

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

The day belonged to Pandya. He’s singlehandedly kept India in the game…or rather hasn’t allowed India to be written off completely. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 6, 2018

A day @hardikpandya7 is unlikely to forget. Nor those who watched him perform with bat and ball

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) 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

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

Hardik Pandya’s 93 reminds one of Kapil Dev’s fabulous 129 against a rampaging Allan Donald at Port Elizabeth in 1992!#SAvIND

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 6, 2018

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

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