"Tbf, night watchmen did well" - Fans react after Pujara and Rahane remain unbeaten on day 2 in 2nd Test vs South Africa
Senior batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane held the fort at stumps for Team India on day 2 by remaining unbeaten at 85-2.
The visitors currently lead by 58 runs with eight wickets in hand and three days remaining. South Africa began day 2 with Dean Elgar (28) and Keegan Petersen (62) as overnight batters at 35-1. Petersen, Bavuma, Elgar, Verreynne, Marco Jansen, and Maharaj chipped in with valuable contributions to aid their team to get a lead of 27 runs in the first innings.
Shardul Thakur (7/61) bowled phenomenally to ensure South Africa did not go too far ahead in the contest.
Later, Marco Jansen and Duanne Olivier removed Indian openers Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul to give the home side a good start. At this juncture, two seasoned veterans, Cheteshwar Pujara(35* in 42 balls) and Ajinkya Rahane(11*), joined hands and stitched a 41-run unbeaten partnership to see the day off without any more casualties.
As the Indian second innings unfolded, fans were glad to see Pujara and Rahane facing stern tests against quality bowlers in the middle while attempting to save the match for their team. A prolonged slump in form has put the duo under immense pressure going into this innings. It led fans to believe that Pujara and Rahane were playing to save their careers, and they took to Twitter to express the same.
Here are some of the best reactions:
Pujara & Rahane today
#INDvsSA #SAvsIND https://t.co/fsH01BnjQX
Pujara & Rahane ne ego pe le liya hai.
What a display of positive batting approach from pujji though 💯
Need him to get a big farewell score. 💪
Backing the lads to bounce back in their last game. 🇮🇳
#CricketTwitter
#INDvsSA #SAvsIND
Pujara & Rahane in this inning be like;
#SAvsIND #Pujara #Rahane #testcricket https://t.co/I1aTRm6Ktt
Pujara's intent today was incredible. He was looking to score runs and not just staying there. Rahane looked good too. Hopefully they can take this partnership further tomorrow. India effectively 58-2 now but Pujara's innings will instill calmness in the dressing room. #SAvsIND
Most experienced and also out of form batsmen are in the middle at crucial situation of the Test match #INDvsSA
They have to play for saving a test match and may be also to save their places in the team...
#SAvsIND
#SAvsIND Two of Indian test side's strongest pillars, repeatedly struck by trolls, out there to fight for the team (and for their respective careers). Day 3 will quite possibly be decisive in both. Let's go, #AjinkyaRahane & #CheteshwarPujara. twitter.com/bhogleharsha/s…
Rahane has a history of throwing his wicket away upon continuing the next morning 1st session
Hope history doesn’t repeat 🙏
#Rahane #Pujara #INDvsSA #INDvSA #SAvInd #SAvsIND https://t.co/pyRIPTFKis
Aggressive and positive Pujara is Fun Pujara!
And also Rahane 🙏🙏
#SAvsIND
Cheteshwar Pujara since the start of England series :
In team's 1st inns :-
Runs - 47, Avg - 5.87, SR - 22.81
Scores - 4, 9, 1, 4, 26, 0, 0, 3
In team's 2nd inns :-
Runs - 329, Avg - 54.83, SR - 42.67
Scores - 12*, 45, 91, 61, 22, 47, 16, 35*
Such massive difference !
#SAvsIND
This has been vintage positive approach from Rahane and Pujara in a mini passage of play in the evening
#INDvsSA #INDvSA #SAvsIND #SAvIND
2 Guys On The Crease Who Are Fighting For Their Career.!!!
#INDvSA #INDvsSAF #INDvsSA #SAvIND #SAvsIND
Me after watching #Pujara batting strike rate ..#SAvsIND #tuesdayvibe #INDvsSA https://t.co/9ugfJjGCS3
FInally, a glimpse of Kohli who was appreciating the efforts of both Pujara and Rahane. https://t.co/NiyKZs2a1Q
Rahane and Pujara when their career is on line https://t.co/bi36Jo7JGS
Wat an intent from #Pujara in the end of the game , if these two can stick for 20 more overs ,it will be India's game ..#SAvsIND
No one
Pujara and Rahane while returning to the end of day :
#SAvsIND https://t.co/RnqeR3yH9b
Everyone to Pujara and Rahane: Yeh aapka last test match ho skta hai.
Pujara and Rahane: Khelenge bhi waise hi!!😃😃
#INDvsSA #SAvsIND #Pujara #Rahane
#sportstak @vikrantgupta73 @cheteshwar1 @ajinkyarahane88
Indian fans watching Pujara and Rahane score but India taking a good position to seal this series... #SAvsIND https://t.co/VKIrZQshW6
Bhai jyada nhi, kl Pujara ki century aur Rahane ki half-century ho jaaye bhot hai!🤞🏻
#INDvsSA #SAvsIND #Pujara #Rahane
Tbf, nightwatchmens did well. #SAvsInd
#lastjoke #sorry
Outstanding batting in the last session. Didn't just try to hang in but backed themselves and played positively against a very good bowling side.
Don't be like the pipeman below. Yes the rope is getting smaller but this partnership is crucial. Let's back them to come through. We've history to write here. #SAvInd #Rahane #Pujara https://t.co/KnhZeY7AE0
"Pujara came out with an aggressive mindset today, he looked in a zone" - Ashish Nehra
Former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra opined that Cheteshwar Pujara came out to bat with aggressive intent and looked in great touch during his stay at the crease. Speaking to Cricbuzz at stumps on day 2, Nehra analyzed Team India's batting in the second innings and said:
"Pujara came out with an aggressive mindset today. He looked in a zone. He earlier defended half-volleys but today he took advantage of such deliveries. It was good to see. Both Pujara and Rahane were under pressure. South African bowlers eased the pressure."
The experience of Pujara and Rahane will be crucial to India's chances of putting on a substantial match-winning target in front of the hosts on day three. It will be an intriguing battle between bat and ball as the pitch has already shown a lot of variable bounce on the second day itself.