WATCH : Hardik Pandya's lack of situation awareness results in a bizarre run-out
Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli made a lovely illustration of how to compose a partnership to lead India to a comfortable position before a moment of “brain-fade” changed things abruptly. Pandya, despite having all the time in the world, decided to hang his foot in the air and was run-out eventually.
Pandya and Kohli looked completely composed on the crease from the very start of the second day. Despite Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi being able to extract some amount of swing and seam movements off the wicket, the visitors defied all odds to frustrate the hosts for a good amount of time. South Africa had realized by then that nothing other than a mistake from the batsman could break the partnership.
The incident in question occurred in the 68th over of the innings, when Pandya hit Rabada to mid-on. Although there was no clear single on offer, Pandya started to run, only to be denied by Kohli when he was halfway down the crease. But his running back showed no urgency whatsoever as he lazily tried to ground his bat when his feet were still in the air. South Africa, however, were not as lethargic and a direct throw from Vernon Philander struck the stumps before the ball ricocheted away. Taking the benefit of that, the duo decided to pick up a run and completed that as well.
But the real drama actually ensued from that point as South Africa appealed for a run-out from Philander's hit and the third umpire went upstairs for the decision. While the hosts were confident about the dismissal, the giant screen just attested the same as it was clearly visible that Pandya’s bat and feet were both in the air and didn’t touch the popping crease at all before the ball hit the stumps. The overconfidence before reaching the crease baffled Sunil Gavaskar on air and he instantly stated, “This is unforgivable”.