"Only one person used to save India during such collapses" - Netizens react to Indian batters' outing in SA vs IND 2nd T20I
Team India had a completely contrasting outing in the second T20I against South Africa, as compared to the first one. After putting up a 200+ total in the T20I series opener, India managed to post only 124/6 on the board, courtesy of a brilliant bowling display by the hosts.
India’s innings started poorly, as they lost three wickets inside the powerplay, with the top-order crumbling down against South Africa’s pace unit. After Marco Jansen struck in the first over to dismiss Sanju Samson, Gerald Coetzee followed up with Abhishek Sharma’s wicket in the next over.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav was the next to walk back to the pavilion as debutant Andile Simelane picked up his maiden T20I wicket. As a result, India ended their powerplay with just 34 runs on board.
Here’s how fans on X reacted to India’s first innings outing:
"Only one person used to save India during such collapses," one fan wrote.
“Abhishek Sharma only IPL player,” wrote a fan.
“This would've been the Scenes on 29 June if Kohli decided to throw his bat instead of playing "Sensible" cricket. 76(57) is a Knock for Ages!,” wrote another while remembering Virat Kohli’s 2024 T20 World Cup Final knock.
“Samson is the king of the pitches, as long as it's remain flat,” expressed a fan.
“Thank you so much @imVkohli for playing sensibly in T20WC final & giving a respectable total,” wrote another.
Hardik Pandya anchors India’s innings to help the team post an average total
After India’s top-order faltered, the onus was on the middle-order batters to fire. Though they couldn’t score big, the team still got to a decent total, courtesy of Hardik Pandya’s knock towards the end.
While Tilak Varma and Axar Patel walked back scoring 20 and 27 runs, respectively, Pandya held the innings tight from one end and remained unbeaten on 39*(45). While Rinku Singh failed to make an impact as a finisher, Arshdeep Singh hit a six to contribute to India’s total.