South Africa ‘s Opening Batsman Dean Elgar thwarted India’s attempts of scoring an innings victory over the visitors in the opening Test on Friday in Vizag.
He remained unbeaten on 137 at tea, becoming, in the process, the first South African in nine years to score a century in India after a gap of nine years. Elgar reached his 12th Test ton when he slog-swept R Ashwin. The last South African batsman to score a hundred in India was Hashim Amla when their team toured India in 2010.
India, put on a mammoth total of 502, which was largely due to the efforts of the Indian opening pair, who put on 317 runs for the first wicket. While Mayank Agarwal scored a double century, Rohit Sharma, who opened for the first time in a Test, pitched in with 176.
Elgar, resuming his innings at 27, batted confidently and was not cowed down by India’s spinning duo. He, however, was dropped by Wriddhiman Saha. He was then batting on 74. Batting courageously, he managed to score quickly, as he was ably supported by his skipper Faf du Plessis and later on by Quinton de Kock, who batted more adventurously.
Elgar and du Plessis put on a hundred run partnership for the fifth wicket after Bavuma was dismissed with their side’s score at 64 for four. Although their stand was broken by R Ashwin, Elgar was unfazed as he continued scoring more runs for his side.
Elgar, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2012, got out for ducks in both the innings in his maiden appearance.
On Thursday, immediately after India’s declaration, the visiting team was put on the mat by R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, with their team struggling at 39 for 3 at the close of play on Day two.
Just when it seemed that India would blow away South Africa, Dean Elgar used his defensive skills to good effect to allow South Africa to claw back into the Test.
