'Pandya, saviour of Team India': Twitter hails Hardik for stunning counter-attack against South Africa

Hardik Pandya smashed a sensational 93 off 95 balls to bail India out of some serious troublle in the first Test against South Africa on Saturday.

The visitors resumed the second session on Saturday in a better position than they were when the day began.

After dismissing South Africa for 286, the visitors had lost three key wickets by the end of the opening day's play in the ongoing first Test in Cape Town.

Virat Kohli's men, however, lost just the one wicket in Rohit Sharma in the morning session on Day 2. Although the runs hadn't really flown, India had hope going in to the second session.

All that hope evaporated rather quickly when the visitors were reduced to 92 for 7. From being in a potentially match-winning position on Friday, India were staring at another embarrassing overseas defeat after less than five sessions.

In came Hardik Pandya. With Ajinkya Rahane benched, critics had questioned the all-rounder's place in the side. Hardik had a point to prove, and oh boy, he did!

On a track where the likes of Kohli looked clueless, Hardik went on to play a stunning counter-attacking knock. Saturday marked Kapil Dev's 59th birthday, and it was befitting for the legend's true successor to play a blinder on the same day.

Hardik, true to his elements, gave little respect to Proteas' fire-breathing pace battery comprising Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander. The ramp shot, slap over coves, flick past mid-wicket and blazing square-cut were all on display.

Along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who played a crucial innings of 25 from 86, Hardik managed to pull India right back in to the game.

Naturally, Twitter was in awe of the Baroda lad's tenacious batting.

Here are some tweets

Enjoying watching this uncomplicated, uninhibited batting from Hardik Pandya. Looking like a batsman.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 6, 2018

When Hardik Pandya enters the dressing room #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/uRD6MOAwd9

— That LOL Buddhu (@lolbuddhu) January 6, 2018

Gujratis shined at South Africa:
Mahatma Gandhi and Hardik Pandya.#SAvIND

— Swagato Roy (@RoySwagato) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya now has more runs in one inning than total runs scored by Rohit Sharma in his entire career in SA (59).#SAvIND

— Akshay VK18 Sharma (@akshaypasu) January 6, 2018

Other Indian Batsmen : Bowl is swinging & bouncing , its very difficult to bat.

Hardik Pandya :#SAvIND #INDvSA #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/YPgXw5So7J

— Boring... (@graphicalcomic) January 6, 2018

Sri Lankan cricket teams reaction when Hardik Pandya saved India from humiliation pic.twitter.com/88njVI5GSn

— Ashish (@futbolpogs) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya saving Team India from batting collapse against South African Bowlers.#IndvSA pic.twitter.com/a6BLyzIyyN

— Bhaad me Jaa.. (@iAbhishek_J) January 6, 2018

hardik pandya waiting for keshav maharaj to bowl #IndvsSA pic.twitter.com/STUASygI93

— shrikant kirwale (@shrikantkirwal1) January 6, 2018

SA: mere paas bounce hai, pace hai, movement hai, world class fielding hai, home conditions hai, tumhare paas kya hai?
IND: pic.twitter.com/HMYDlgPABr

— cricBC (@cricBC) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya facing South African fast bowlers. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/MiG22vFF3y

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 6, 2018

Be it for Mumbai Indians during the IPL, for team India in CT 2017 finals or now, Hardik Pandya has emerged out to be his team's life boat. Hail Pandya!#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/NSyRWnKmZh

— AkShAtA (@MenInBlueDvotee) January 6, 2018

somehow hardik pandya always scores valuable runs when India is in trouble, great counter attacking cricket, and not to forget bhuvneshwar kumar, his contribution is equally important , if not more.......keep going boys just get us to 250

— manan galav (@manangalav) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya scores in tests:

50(49)
20(20)
108(96)
51*(46)

Finally we have again Test match entertainer like Virender Sehwag.#INDvSA #SAvIND

— गब्बर सिंह (@vella_babloo) January 6, 2018

Hardik Pandya's Inning Reminds Us Of His Innings In Champions Trophy Finals. Best Part Is I'm Not In The Team To Run Him Out.  #INDvSA #IndvsSA #SAvIND #SSCricket #HardikPandya

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) 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

Hardik Pandya against SA bowlers today: #SAvIND #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/EAyK0VnMcv

— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) January 6, 2018