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South African captain Dean Elgar played his final innings in the longest format during the Day 1 second Test against India in Cape Town on Wednesday (January 3).
South Africa’s stunning collapse
In the opening day of the match, South Africa, choosing to bat after winning the toss, faced a dramatic collapse, being bowled out for just 55 runs. This downfall was orchestrated by Mohammed Siraj, who showcased an exceptional performance, picking 6 wickets for 15 runs, with support from Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar, both securing two wickets each.
Indian innings’ drastic turn
The Indian innings, despite Virat Kohli‘s 46 and valuable contributions from Shubman Gill (36) and Rohit Sharma (39), witnessed a collapse from 153/4 to 153 all out. Remarkably, this marked the first instance in 147 years of Test cricket history where a team lost its last 6 wickets without adding any runs. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger played crucial roles, each claiming three wickets in the process.
Also READ: SA vs IND 2023-24: Netizens left shell-shocked after India loses six wickets within 11 balls during Cape Town Test
Dramatic unfolding of the third Innings on first day itself
The unfolding of the third innings, in the form of South Africa batting again, occurred in the final session of the initial day, following both teams being bundled out within a span of 58.1 overs. Aiden Markram (36*) and Elgar, in his farewell innings, contributed to an opening partnership of 37 runs.
Emotional farewell to Dean Elgar by Virat Kohli and other players
However, Mukesh Kumar induced an edge from Elgar to the first slip when the batter was on 12, and Virat Kohli completed a straightforward catch. This marked the conclusion of one of South Africa’s most illustrious Test careers, and Elgar received a heartfelt farewell from the Indian team as expressed their admiration by shaking hands with Elgar. The former Indian captain Kohli also showcased a humble gesture, embracing the departing opener in a heartfelt manner.
Here’s the video:
Virat Kohli asked all his teammates not to celebrate the wicket of Dean Elgar and to respect him.
Such a gentleman he is. ❤️https://t.co/JolT7qZG0W pic.twitter.com/2ENHNhwfhl
— Rohit Sharma Selfless Academy (@SelflessRohit) January 3, 2024
Elgar’s storied legacy
Elgar, recognized as the Player of the Match in the Centurion Test for his exceptional innings of 185, played a pivotal role in securing a 1-0 series lead for the Proteas. As he bids farewell, Elgar concludes his illustrious Test career with a total of 5,347 runs in 86 matches, boasting an impressive average of 37.92, and notably accumulating 14 centuries.
