Twitter lauds Shikhar Dhawan's scintillating half-century in Cape Town

Shikhar Dhawan has often been criticized time and again for his indifferent form. The left-hander was dropped after failing in the first test match at Cape Town. However, he has surely made amends coming back at the same place for the third One Day International. While Dhawan may struggle to find a place in the playing XI when it comes to the traditional format, he’s an enigma in the 50 over the game.

The dashing opener struck his second consecutive half-century in the series. He was also looking in sublime touch during the first One-Dayer before a confusion with Virat Kohli resulted in a runout. After Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the very first over, the onus fell upon Dhawan and skipper Kohli to provide India a fierce start.

Dhawan went on to slam a brilliant half-century as he was at his fluent best. Not only did he lit up the stage with his splendor batting, but he also put the pressure straight back on the Proteas bowlers. However, the dashing opener fell short of his century by just 24 runs. He scored 12 boundaries in his fantastic knock of 76 runs from just 63 balls.

His strike rate of above 120 was a clear proof of his batting performance today. Both he and Kohli managed to put up a magnificent 140 run partnership for the second wicket from 133 balls.

He was dismissed by spinner JP Duminy trying to play across the line. He was caught by skipper Aiden Markram as the hosts finally managed to break the partnership which seemed to be running away with the game. Twitter lauded Shikhar Dhawan for his stupendous run in the series so far as well as in today’s game. Some of them were disappointed though that he didn’t go on to score a century.

Here we present to you some of Twitter reactions regarding Dhawan’s knock:

Dhawan mai maata aagyi hai

— Pawan SinghA (@urbanpendu00) February 7, 2018

The Kohli-Dhawan partnership hasn't been broken since Sunday afternoon. Surely South Africa will get either wicket at some point today?#SAvIND

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 7, 2018

50 for Dhawan. Can he become the second Indian left handed opener to get an ODI hundred in South Africa today? #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 7, 2018

Shikhar Dhawan talks with his bat not with his mouth. So happy, his haters got another tight slap to themselves #INDvsSA

— Jessy Rajkumari (@imJR_4) February 7, 2018

Virat Kohli's run-out is making career. #Rohit #Dhawan #savsind

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) February 7, 2018

Dhawan looks different batting overseas.
Sadly same applies for Rohit Sharma.

Hoping for a comeback.

— Jay Jadwani? (@diehard_msdian) February 7, 2018

Troll Dhawan all you like but we would have missed Sehwag at the top a lot more if not for him. #SAvIND

— Manya (@CSKian716) February 7, 2018

Dhawan must be having so many 70s in LOIs

— Abhishek (@absycric) February 7, 2018

Dhawan was in such a good form today
Feeling bad that he missed his century

— Anmol / ia (@loyallarents) February 7, 2018

Great Sharma transfered his Talent to Dhawan before he got out. Legend. #INDvSA

— LolmLol (@LOLiyapa) February 7, 2018

Batting, Dhawan, batting. Waiting for a big one today. Looked in touch in all three games. Nice!! #INDvSA

— Jaanvi ? (@ThatCricketBuff) February 7, 2018

Meanwhile, Dhawan is treating Imran Tahir the way various Australians have treated Vinay Kumar in the past.

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) February 7, 2018

Crossed his 50. Dhawan will be dangerous and ruthless now #IndvsSA

— Abhishek ?? #408 (@ImAbhishek7_) February 7, 2018

FIFTY for Dhawan off just 42 balls. His last five scores against South Africa: 60, 78, 35, 51*, 51* (today). Can he convert it into a hundred? #SAvIND

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 7, 2018

25th ODI half Century in his 99th ODI for Shikhar Dhawan and He looks in good touch today…

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 7, 2018

Playing safe has been the secret to Dhawan's ODI success. He is a lot smarter than a lot of people give him credit for.

— Alagappan V (@IndianMourinho) February 7, 2018

It would've been twice in three innings…Dhawan needs to start saying NO to a run that he can't complete. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 7, 2018

Shikhar Dhawan has played some beautiful strokes today on his way to a stylish half-century. His skipper isn't far behind! #SAvIND

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 7, 2018

Well played, made it look very easy! Ton in next for sure ? @SDhawan25

— ☄ (@dilsekohli) February 7, 2018

Very well played @SDhawan25 looked good right through the series. India on course here for a big total. Under lights chase tough. #SAvIND

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) February 7, 2018

When Shikhar Dhawan is playing like this you forget someone even as Virat as Kohli ?

— Anumita (@adagio_aria) February 7, 2018

He may have his share of issues in Tests but take Shikhar Dhawan anywhere in ODIs and he'll continue to boss the bowlers #SAvIND

— Hari Sadanandan (@iamharry_88) February 7, 2018

Shikhar Dhawan's ODI average is 45+, which is a very good number for an opener. If my guess is right, only Indians to have a better number are Kohli and Dhoni.#SAvIND

— Akshy Sridhar (@Akshysridhar) February 7, 2018

Though Shikhar Dhawan is playing well and giving India the start needed, he should also try and convert these 60-70s in a century. #SAvsIND

— Varad Barbhai (@Jawani_Ka_Josh) February 7, 2018

Doesn't look like Shikhar Dhawan wants to rate Tahir so much. Dhawan doesn't get out soon, SA have a huge problem ahead.#SAvIND

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) February 7, 2018