IND vs SA | Twitter is stunned as Markram puts golden arm to great use to end Sundar’s stay

Last Sunday at 2:23 PM

Aiden Markram’s bowling credentials are often underrated but Temba Bavuma’s confidence in him paid off during the first Test against India in Kolkata. The South African put his off-spin to good use to remove the well-set Washington Sundar, and putting the home side in a spot of bother.

‌South Africa set India with a target of 124 after being bowled out on day three of the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Captain Temba Bavuma scored a gritty half-century and remained unbeaten as the visitors ended their second essay at 153 before lunch. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was the home side’s best bowler with figures of 4/50, while Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj picked up two each.

India’s chase was bothering too as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul made their way back inside two overs with the score reading just one. Though Washington Sundar held firm from one end putting his old-school technique to good use, the home side kept losing wickets from the other end.

With India looking down a dangerous slope at 64/5, after Jadeja’s fall, the Proteas skipper Bavuma smelled an opportunity as he introduced Aiden Markram, with two left handers at the crease, for the first time in the match.

And the move proved a masterstroke as the off-spinner ended up with the wicket of the well-set Sundar in just his second over. From around the wicket, Markram pitched the ball on a good length at off stump before the red cherry turned just enough to take the southpaw’s outside edge.

Simon Harmer made no mistake at first slip, ending Sundar’s 92-ball 31 as South Africa went close to a historic win. Markram was thrilled, letting out a roar as his teammates rushed in to celebrate the dismissal.

Twitter was in awe as Bavuma’s clever plan, aided by Markram’s excellent execution, plotted India’s downfall.

Markram Strike!!

— Robinson (@Robinson966715)

wise words!

Shaun Pollock suggested to use Markram … wise words… Markram got a wicket
— Shahid Hashmi (@hashmi_shahid)

yes!

The worst part of Temba Bavuma's captaincy is not giving the ball to Markram early.
— ∆мαx🧋 (@MarkramBot)

Trouble!

Markram is creating trouble for the batsman

shows the level of pitch this is
— Vaibhav Hatwal ◟̽◞̽ 🤧 (@vaibhav_hatwal)

Sundar gone!

🚨 Markram has taken the big wicket of Washington Sundar
— SanjayGandhi (@SanjayGandhi41)

yeah!

Huge moment! Markram delivering when it matters. SA edging ahead now… India need a game-changer!
— Mersal Hari (@MersalHari_VJ)

Markram !

Aiden Markram is turning it more than Paul Harris ever did 😭.
— Basia (@tweetsbybase)

Washi gone!

🇮🇳 1ST Test – Another Blow for India!

WICKET!

Washington Sundar 31 (92) departs — caught by Harmer, bowled by Markram.

India now 72/6, and the situation is getting very tricky at the Eden Gardens.

Aiden Markram doing the damage with the ball — not something you say often! 😮‍💨
— Anand Tiwari (@anandt2011)

Clutch!