IND vs SA | Twitter confused as Kuldeep ignores Pant's repeated pleas to risk five-run penalty

Yesterday at 12:39 PM

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One of the biggest issues surrounding modern Test cricket is over rates, with 90 in a day seeming like a myth from the past. Rules are in place to help avoid the same, but bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav make it impossible to follow for skippers like Rishabh Pant, as was the case in Guwahati on Tuesday.

‌‌South Africa continued to to further their grip on the second Test and the series at Baraspara Cricket Stadium on Day 4 as they extended their lead to nearly 400 by Tea. Ravindra Jadeja had struck twice to introduce some jeopardy but the pair of Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs sailed the Proteas back into comfortable waters by dealing with the three-pronge spin attack with prolific sweeps and reverse sweeps. Kuldeep Yadav yet again emerged as the easiest bowler to target, as was the case in the first innings when he conceded at nearly four an over, which forced the spinner into prolonged thoughts before bowling much to the chagrin of his captain Rishabh Pant.

The rules afford a team exacly one minute between the last ball of one over and first ball of the next, with a five-run penalty levied on the bowling team every time one of their bowlers accrues three breaches albeit the warning count is reset every 80 overs. In the first innings, the sanction had become a real possibiity as Kuldeep racked up two to his name before long but constant urging from Pant behind the stumps made sure it did not ost India much. However, Kuldeep continued with his patterns once brought on for the first time on the day in the 39th over as repeated reminders from Pant became routine on the stump mic before the keeper-batter finally ran out of patience at the start of the 48th over. "Pehla ball toh daalde yaar [at least bowl the first ball]", Pant hollered with his voice reeking of agitation before doubling down by cautioning Kuldeep he won;t serve the reminder again and again.

Twitterati was amused, to say the least.

Pressure!

— Robinson (@Robinson966715)

Pant Chaos

Rishabh Pant making mockery of Kuldeep Yadav ffs. Now I understand why this guy used to get belted by Kohli and Rohit. 😭😭
— Dave (@AFC_Dev17)

Pant Frustrated

Pant rightly frustrated at kuldeep for not bowling first ball of his over quickly.. was warned by umpires for the same yesterday as well
— Cowboy Bepop (@cowboy___bepop)

Flatter Fire

IND VS SA Test

Indian spinner's bowl more flatter and quicker than the SA spin attack.

This could be a reason it feels like SA Batters plays better than IND in this game.

SPINNERS-

IND Avg :93kmpm whereas SA Avg: 86kmph
— BalaSubramanian (@bala_888)

Safe Total