Shardul Thakur finally broke the solid 111-run stand between Dean Elgar and Marco Jansen during the first India-South Africa Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on December 28.
The fast bowler sent Dean Elgar, who nicked the ball off his gloves, back to the pavilion. Playing his final Test series, Dean Elgar amassed 185 runs off 287 deliveries, including 28 fours. It is second only to his top score of 199 against Bangladesh in 2017.
Thakur delivered the knockout blow in South Africa’s first innings’ 95th over. He unleashed a short ball down leg-side. Dean Elgar attempted to avoid the ball, but his gloves intervened, and KL Rahul snatched up an easy catch.
Here’s a glimpse at Dean Elgar’s dismissal:
South Africa take charge on Day 3 as Dean Elgar and Marco Jasen shine
In the first session of Day 3, former captain Dean Elgar and Marco Jansen shone at the batting to maintain South Africa’s advantage over India. Nonetheless, the visitors were able to take out Elgar and Gerald Coetzee, who were dismissed by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shortly after lunch.
The Proteas were 392/7 at lunchtime at the time of writing, with Jansen (72 off 120) and Kagiso Rabada (1 off 4) at the crease.
In addition to Dean Elgar and Jansen, David Bedingham, making his debut, contributed 56 off 87 on Day 2, striking two sixes and seven boundaries.
By removing Aiden Markram for only five off 17 balls, Mohammed Siraj gave the visitors an early lead. Then, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Tony de Zorzi (28 off 62) to end a 95-run stand between the second and third wickets. He returned Keegan Petersen as well. Bedingham was subsequently removed by Siraj, ending the 131-run fourth wicket stand.
By getting rid of Kyle Verreynne, a batsman and wicketkeeper, Prasidh Krishna claimed his first wicket.
India kicked off, earning 245 in 67.4 overs. KL Rahul led with a 101 point score from 137, hitting four out-of-park shots and 14 boundary runs. Scores of 38, 31, and 24 came from Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Shardul Thakur.
Kagiso Rabada, of the Proteas, outshone his teammates by securing a five-wicket haul. Debutant Nandre Burger wasn’t far behind, taking down three wickets. Further supplementing, Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee each pocketed a wicket.
