South Africa vs India 2018: 5 talking points from the Newlands Test

Hardik Pandya gives India a chance

South Africa celebrate the wicket of Hardik Pandya

After bowling out South Africa for 286, India were staring down the barrel with the bat when the four-man pace attack was too hot for the visiting side to handle. At that stage, it looked at an all-too-familiar tale of India collapsing yet again outside sub-continent.

That was when Hardik Pandya decided to change the script as he took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Although he was given a few chances, a missed catch and a stumping, the all-rounder displayed great ball striking skills against the quick men. When they decided to pepper him with short balls, he cut, pulled and wasn’t shying away from playing the ramp shot over the keeper. Even though he fell 7 short of his three figure mark, his innings brought India back into the contest.