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South Africa vs India 2018: 1st Test, Day 2 - 5 things we learnt from the day

Pandya stole headlines on day 2 of the Newlands Test. Credits: Indian Express
Pandya stole headlines on day 2 of the Newlands Test.

A supremely brilliant show from Hardik Pandya salvaged a horrendous day for India at Newlands as the rakish, ostentatious Baroda all-rounder smacked a counter-attacking 93 and followed it up with two wickets. Pandya's scintillating show overshadowed a cracking bowling performance from the South African seamers.

Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada were unplayable while Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel supported the duo. The four-pronged attack made batting near impossible until Pandya showed the way with a counter-attacking knock in the company of a steady Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Two late order wickets could not salvage India's day, though as South Africa led by 142 runs.

#5 Rabada breaks Pujara - Rohit dogged stand

England v South Africa - 3rd Investec Test: Day Two
Rabada bowed a sensational spell to get rid of Rohit Sharma

From 28/3, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma chugged along hard to consume a lot of balls early on day 2. The two grit it out in the middle even as the Proteas seamers gave little away. A lot of balls were left, even more, beat the bat, and a few were defended down the track. Runs were hard to come by but neither was complaining.

Faf du Plessis eventually turned to the youngest man of the four-pronged attack, Kagiso Rabada and the fiery pacer steamed in to send Rohit Sharma on his way. He noticed that Sharma was shuffling across the stumps and angled into his pads. Rohit reviewed the LBW decision unsuccessfully and India's solid start had gone awry.

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