Twitter Reactions: Faf du Plessis' magnificent hundred powers the Proteas to 269

The limited-overs action kicked off in Durban today as South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. Faf du Plessis came to the rescue with a spectacular hundred after the middle-order faltered. After a slow start and late flourish, the hosts managed to post a total of 269/8 in their quota of 50 overs.

Hashim Amla was trapped LBW by Jasprit Bumrah in the 8th over before he could convert the start. Quinton de Kock looked edge after what had been a dismal Test series for him with the bat. He was adjudged lbw off Yuzvendra Chahal. While de Kock walked straight back to the pavilion without reviewing, replays suggested that the ball was clearly missing the stumps.

Aiden Markram who came in for AB de Villiers struggled to pick Kuldeep Yadav. He was eventually dismissed by Chahal as the spinners started taking charge. Kuldeep struck twice in consecutive overs. He outfoxed JP Duminy and then got David Miller, as skipper Virat Kohli held on to a stupendous catch diving forward.

South Africa were reduced to 134/5. While wickets kept falling at one end, du Plessis stayed firm at the other end. He and Chris Morris put up a 74-run partnership for the sixth wicket. However, just when it seemed the Proteas were running away with the game, Morris missed a full toss from Kuldeep.

Faf led from the front and batted almost through the inning in the process bringing up his 9th ODI hundred. Andile Phehlukwayo managed to prolong his stay at the crease as he allowed du Plessis time to take the total as close to 280 as possible. South Africa set a target of 270 runs for the Indians to chase. Kuldeep Yadav was quite impressive as he attained best match figures of 3/34. Yuzvendra Chahal also got a couple of wickets.

Twitter was all praise for Faf du Plessis’ 100 as he steered South Africa to a decent total. The wrist spinners were lauded for turning the game into India’s favour after a good start by the hosts. Quinton de Kock was trolled for missing out on the review and so was Virat for using one where it was not needed.

Here we present to you some of the Twitter reactions from the first half of the game:

Chris Morris takes out his best DD shot, misses a full toss. #SAvsIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 1, 2018

"Daal de 6 baal samajhne mai hi nikal jaega isko"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH KOHLI ?????

— انس خان Anas Khan (@AnasMagnificent) February 1, 2018

Why aren’t boundary fielders on the boundary

Because they don’t believe in boundaries #SAvIND

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 1, 2018

5/79 in 20 overs by the wristies #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 1, 2018

Terrific batsmen Faf.. we so often forget that he's just 5 years old in international cricket such has been his prowess. #SAvIND

— KASHISH (@crickashish217) February 1, 2018

General perception is that 270 will be a decent score. Will need a strong finish

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 1, 2018

MS Dhoni first to congratulate Faf for his brilliant Century also would have said welcome to CSK… ?

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 1, 2018

Bhai Rahane sunglasses catch pakadne me help karne ke liye hai, style maarne ke liye nahi.

— LOLendra Singh (@LOLendraSingh) February 1, 2018

India won't come out to bat if oppositions can't cross Rohit Sharma's highest individual score. You better score 265, SA.

— Alagappan V (@IndianMourinho) February 1, 2018

Another classic case of complaining about sun in the face with sunglasses on the cap and missing a catch. Just cricket things. #SAvIND

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 1, 2018

Du Plessis making the difference that you will expect a set batsman to make after that MIS-JUDGED catch. That's where you win and lose games.

— Abhishek (@Sajjanlaunda) February 1, 2018

Faf du Plesiss is scoring runs to cement his place in the playing XI of Chennai SuperKings #SAvIND

— Cricket bakchod (@AllTimeBakchod) February 1, 2018

The fielding standards in this innings has dropped faster than stocks in share market. #SAvIND

— Manya (@CSKian716) February 1, 2018

Bowled Kuldeep Yadav, Kumble be pleased. #savsind

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 1, 2018

25.5 Kuldeep Yadav to Duminy, Out Bowled!! he's gone through the defences."meri tara out hua behenchod, pata hi nahi chala" (sisterfucker got out like me) says Pandya. oh lord what young kolly has done to this team. ~ cricbuzz

— ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ (@firkiii) February 1, 2018

I missed this ????? I'm so ready for Tahir #SAvIND #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/8KSgxKjsLe

— MELANIN? (@Katleho_Katz) February 1, 2018

Spinners at work and so is MS Dhoni behind the stumps.. #SAvIND

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) February 1, 2018

Save that review for the next game Quinny… #savind

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) February 1, 2018

This stand between Morris and Du Plessis had just upgraded itself from useful to match-turning. But then the former went Coldplay on us, and had a rush of blood to the head! 208 for six. #SAvInd

— Lungani Zama (@whamzam17) February 1, 2018

These two wristspinners are a treat to watch. India need to ensure both play the 2019 World Cup. Forget about the small England grounds any other preconceptions. #SAvIND

— Jamie Alter (@jamie_alterTOI) February 1, 2018

Injuries can't keep the king @imVkohli out of action#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/bYkt8GEpzt

— Virat Crew (@ViratCrew) February 1, 2018

Hopefully Chris Morris's return from injury brings more consistency with the bat and ball. He has a lot of potential. #SAvIND

— TweetGuru (@JustKholii_) February 1, 2018

Bumrah would never make a good pilot, he plays with the line far too often. #SAvIND

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 1, 2018

Home game for India in Durban? #SAvIND

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) February 1, 2018

Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have 12 overs, 6 each, picked 3 wickets and yet to concede a BOUNDARY! #SAvInd

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 1, 2018

Faf to complete his ton in next over of Pandya, thats why both are there for. #SAvInd

— Monica (@monicas004) February 1, 2018

Is it really an #SAvIND match if we don't have close-call run-outs involving Faf du Plessis…?

— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) February 1, 2018

Even by Virat Kohli's incredibly low standards that was a bad review #SAvIND

— Cricket365 (@Cricket365) February 1, 2018

Virat Kohli leaves the field*

MSD starts to set the fielding.

Rohit Sharma : Bhaiya kabhi-kabhi chance milta hai, kar lene do mere ko captainship. please.

— Kuptaan?? (@Kuptaan) February 1, 2018