South Africa vs India 2018: 5 things that cost India the 2nd Test

#4 Pandya's recklessness

Neither cricket pundits nor fans are unaware of Hardik Pandya's mercurial style of play. He takes his chances. If they come off as they did in the 1st innings at Cape Town, it's well and good, otherwise they seem foolhardy.

After defending the ball for some time in the 4th innings, Pandya went after a wide ball from Ngidi to play his favourite ramp shot over the keeper's head. He could only manage a faint outside edge as de Kock took an easy catch. At a time when the team needed him to fight it out and save the Test, such a stroke was uncalled for.

In the first innings as well, he had got run out in a very careless manner when he did not ground his bat while running back to the crease. If either of these mistakes were avoided, it could have led the match in a different direction.