Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was a dazzling view on the South African greens on Saturday as he played just himself and counter-attacked the Proteas after their fiery spell on the second day of the first Test in Cape Town. Pandya came on the crease when India were in deep waters at 76/5 after the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara and he seemed supremely troubled initially by the pace of the South African bowlers.

However, he weathered the initial storm and then launched himself upon them to save India's sinking ship. He got out agonizingly close to his second Test hundred at 93 but his innings kept India in the game. Twitter was in awe of Pandya, who once more stood out and went about his job when none of the premier Indian batsmen could. Pandya is one of the most vital cogs in Virat Kohli's Team India and he proved against South Africa. Virender Sehwag, who has himself scored the fastest triple century in Test (300 off 278 balls) against South Africa, praised Pandya for his innings and called it a proud moment. Pandya's blazing innings was studded with 14 fours and a six but fell short of what could have been his second hundred. India were all out for 209 to hand South Africa a 77-run first innings lead.

Pandya had joined Ravichandran Ashwin second ball after lunch when overnight batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was caught for 26 by skipper Faf du Plessis off Vernon Philander. Ashwin (12) and Wriddhiman Saha (0) soon departed and India were in deep trouble at 92/7 before Pandya took the attack back to the opposition and went to score 209 runs.`