Updated January 4th, 2022 at 16:32 IST
'How does he do it': Twitter in awe as 'Lord' Shardul turns 2nd SA Test in India's favour
Shardul Thakur dismissed three Proteas batters in the first session of Day 2 of the IND vs SA, second Test match at Johannesburg and left fans in awe of him.
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Indian cricketer Shardul Thakur headlined the first session of the Day 2 of India vs South Africa second Test match at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg by picking up three wickets for India. The day’s play went into lunch on Tuesday with the Proteas at 102/4 after 44.4 overs in their first batting innings, after starting the day on 35/1. Thakur dismissed the Proteas skipper Dean Elgar as his first scalp of the day, followed by the wickets of Kegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen.
Day 2 Lunch
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 4, 2022
Three BIG wickets for @imShard in the morning session as South Africa go into Lunch with 102/4 on the board.
Trail #TeamIndia (202) by 100 runs.
Scorecard - https://t.co/qcQcovZ41s #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/1oYxSvwMZ1
Shardul Thakur's triple strike-
Shardul’s contribution in the first session of Day 2 was much needed for India as skipper Elgar was dismissed on the individual score of 28 runs off 120 balls, while Petersen scored 62 runs off 118 balls before walking back. Meanwhile, Thakur removed van der Dussen on the score of one run before the lunch was called. He finished the session with the figures of 3/8 after bowling 4.5 overs, which left the cricket fans in awe of his stellar show.
Thakur strikes again 💪
— ICC (@ICC) January 4, 2022
Keegan Petersen departs after a brilliant knock of 62.
Watch #SAvIND live on https://t.co/CPDKNx77KV (in select regions) 📺#WTC23 | https://t.co/WrcdXe7WLU pic.twitter.com/8XrTBwBsP8
How did the Internet react to Shardul Thakur's triple strike?
Indian cricket fans took to Twitter to express their views and wondered how Shardul manages to come up with such performances over and over again. A fan mentioned that Thakur steps up every time India needs a breakthrough with the bat or ball, while another fan said that the whole world tries to beat Shardul in Test cricket. At the same time, another fan jokingly said that Thakur gave an hour to the other bowlers to take wickets and he stepped up himself to do the same when no one else did.
How many times, when India needs some breakthrough with bat or ball... He delivers #SAvIND
— Jason SA (@jason_asir) January 4, 2022
Whole world try to beat lord thakur in test
— Nobody (@Itsnobody63) January 4, 2022
Lord been Lord.. giving one hour chance to other bowlers to take wickets
— ᴠɪɴᴀʏ (@vinayG__) January 4, 2022
Koi nahi le paaya toh khud hi le liya 😎
Lord Shardul Thakur ki jai ho#INDvsSA
Another fan mentioned that everyone was predicting South Africa’s score before, but following the damage by Thakur, all predictions seem to be in danger. Meanwhile, India earlier scored 202 runs in total in the first innings of the match, courtesy of a half-century by skipper KL Rahul and a knock of 46 runs by R Ashwin. In the second innings of the match, Shardul and Mohammed Shami have accounted for three and one wickets respectively for India, as Proteas vice-captain Temba Bavuma finds himself out in the middle.
South Africa was in better position and everyone could predict their score, but after huge damage from Lord Shardul Thakur evryone' s prediction is in danger😅.
— Nikhil Vaidya 🇮🇳 (@ImNIKDYA) January 4, 2022
Lunch on day two in Johannesburg 🍲
— ICC (@ICC) January 4, 2022
Shardul Thakur's triple strike puts India in charge.
Watch #SAvIND live on https://t.co/CPDKNx77KV (in select regions) 📺#WTC23 | https://t.co/WrcdXe7WLU pic.twitter.com/FDMB1kTD3p
South Africa Live score
However, the Proteas stand at 110/4 after 48 overs of play, with Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne currently at the crease.
(Instagram Image: @indiancricketteam)
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Published January 4th, 2022 at 16:19 IST
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