SA vs IND: Duanne Olivier mocks Shardul Thakur after dismissing him on the opening day of Johannesburg Test

South Africa and India have locked horns with each other for the second Test match at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. The hosts put up a clinical display with the ball to take command of the game. Marco Jansen chimed in with four wickets whereas Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier scalped three wickets each.

It is a no-brainer that when two top teams face each other, the onlookers get to witness some heated battles. The players often engage in an exchange of words that further garners the audacity of the match. Something similar to this was seen in the ongoing second Test match wherein the Proteas pacer Olivier had a few words for India’s Shardul Thakur.

Duanne Olivier mocks Shardul Thakur

India’s batting unit experienced a collapse wherein they were wrapped up at 202 runs. Duanne Olivier sent back Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in quick succession to put the team in the driver’s seat. Rishabh Pant departed with 17 runs to his account and that is when Thakur walked onto the field.

Olivier first had a few words for Thakur and then mocked him after he showed him the way back to the pavilion. The speedster bowled a back of a length outside off stump delivery which Shardul aimed to cut but it was caught by the fielder at the gully. After this wicket, the visitors were reduced to 157-7.

Olivier completed his 50 Test wickets when he chimed in with a short of length delivery to Rahane. He joined Bert Vogler, Hugh Tayfield, and the legendary Allan Donald in third place among the Proteas bowlers who have been the fastest to the landmark of 50 Test wickets. He achieved this feat in just 11 Test matches.

Vernon Philander is placed at the top of the list who picked up 50 wickets in just seven Tests. Pollock who is number two on the list reached this feat in nine Test matches.

About the match, the second Test is placed at an intriguing position. It will be fascinating to see how the Indian bowlers will aim to bring India into the commanding position. India will be raring to win the match to register their maiden Test series triumph in South Africa. Whereas the hosts will look to level the series.