India Vs South Africa: Twitterati irked as 'dangerous' pitch stops play at Wanderers

Johannesburg, Jan 26: The match between India and South Africa took an unexpected turn when the match officials halted the play on the third day of the third Test on Friday (January 26) citing 'dangerous' pitch conditions at the Wanderers.

Match Scorecard

Discussions between the two captain and coaches of both the teams started after home opener Dean Elgar took a nasty blow on the grill of his helmet.

Chasing 241, South Africa were 17 for one in 8.3 overs when Elgar was hit on his helmet by a rising delivery from Jasprit Bumrah, forcing umpires to suspend play. The physio rushed to the pitch and Elgar was seen placing an ice-pack on his forehand.

Umpires Ian Gould and Aleem Dar began discussion and soon match referee Andy Pycroft joined them. The players were taken off the field and captains and coaches of the two teams were called to discuss further course of action.

Earlier, India scored 247 in their second innings. The dangerous batting conditions prevailed when India batted as several of their batsmen took blows in their bodies during the day but the play was never halted.

It was India's gritty batting effort against South African pacers all through the day that irked the fans. Many felt that the pitch is still suitable to bat and wished the umpires rule in the favour of the Indians.

Here's how Twitterati reacted:

Whatever happens in Joburg, India look better prepared for the England tour than any side since Ganguly’s. England haven’t looked less prepared for Test cricket in a generation #SAvIND

— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) January 26, 2018

"If the Indians would have walked off in a similar situation, they would have been called sissies."

Strong words from Sunil Gavaskar....#SAvIND #INDvSA

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) January 26, 2018

For this match to be called off, there will need to be proof of deterioration beyond what was acceptable when India were batting. I have little doubt that play will resume with no repairs to the pitch.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 26, 2018

India have put their cards on the table. They want to carry on. And why not? It’ll be interesting to see what SA decides on the morrow. Lose the match or lose the venue, may be. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2018

Sunil Gavaskar - You can't call off the match in 4th innings when SA is on backfoot and after you have allowed Indian players took the blows on their head,fingers,elbows in previous innings"

Sunny G pic.twitter.com/yZjFlA2J8r

— Prashant Pareek (@prashan235) January 26, 2018

Just returned from our concert in Ahmedabad to learn that the Ind vs SA test has been called off..!
Didn’t India bat twice on this pitch with SA pacers peppering them with short deliveries? .. And suddenly now it’s dangerous..???? #saywhat

— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) January 26, 2018

Mard ko dard nahin hota, isliye #TeamIndia khelti rehti hai... lekin Baby #Elgar ko chot Kya lagi, match Call off karne ki naubat aagayi... Tch Tch Tch #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/094zZ0G9ER

— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) January 26, 2018

Will be absolutely devastated if there’s no day 4 here absolutely abysmal from South Africa ... how many bouncers did Rabada bang in. ? Was getting smacked all over the park by shami... this is why South Africa will never win big Honours in cricket the mentality #IndiaVsSA

— Harshvardhan Kapoor (@HarshKapoor_) January 26, 2018

Those who chided Shastri, Kohli (particularly), and other players for harping on intent', must be eating eat their words. Despite two successive defeats, and series loss, team didn't throw in the towel but admirably came back stronger

— Cricketwallah Indian (@cricketwallah) January 26, 2018

SA laid this minefield & are caught in it. India played incredibly bravely to last out 80 overs, a lot by the tail. Travesty if you call it off. If SA are scared, let them concede. And penalise Wanderers

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) January 26, 2018

So what’s the difference of this pitch than earlier today? Sunny G is right. If the umpires were going to call it off, then it should have been done earlier.... but India battled through it. Now SA should have to do the same.. sadly Elgar didn’t play it well.

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) January 26, 2018

Players n match officials best judges of how the pitch is. Wonder how many of fans experts outraging would dare bat on that wicket. Safety of players paramount. End of the day it is just a game. World won't end if no result #cricket #SAvIND

— APRAMEYA .C (@APRAMEYAC) January 26, 2018

I trust that tomorrow morning the Wanderers Test resumes. If one side could bat on this pitch so can the other. The umpires must not funk it nor should the match referee.

— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) January 26, 2018

If the players are to be called off now due to the pitch being dangerous,why did the Indian batting get to bat all day on it & face the heat? #SAvIND

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) January 26, 2018