On Day 2, the chips were down for the Indian top-order. When Cheteshwar Pujara departed for 26 off 92 balls, Hardik Pandya walked in. Playing in his fourth Test, the all-rounder took time to adjust to the conditions.
Despite bouncers, the 24-year-old didn't give up the fight. Along with tail-ender Bhuvneshwar Kumar — who has been batting well of late in Tests — Pandya stitched an all important 99-run stand for the eighth wicket.
His innings comprised 14 fours and a six; but the Proteas bowlers kept troubling him with the short ball every now and then. But his intentions were clear. He smashed three fours in a Vernon Philander over, which forced Morkel to test the Mumbai Indians cricketer with a few more bouncers.
Pandya reached his second Test half-century in 46 balls. Bhuvneshwar gave him company and played 86 balls for a well fought 25. The youngster from Baroda was mostly dealing in boundaries and the scoreboard kept ticking.
After Kagiso Rabada dismissed Pandya when he looked set for his second hundred, he retaliated when India skipper Virat Kohli threw the ball at him. The right-arm seam bowler, who clocks close to 140 kmph, dismissed the South African openers Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar.
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