Wednesday evening at Centurion, the first Test against India came to a close due to poor lighting on the second day. South Africa had taken an eleven-run lead with five wickets in hand through the efforts of David Bedingham, who scored fifty on his debut, and an unbeaten century from veteran Dean Elgar.
Elgar, age 36, is retiring from international cricket following the two-test series. However, during that time, he scored an emotional 140 not out to help the hosts reach 256-5 in response to India’s first innings total of 245. It was one of the finest innings of his lengthy career.
On Thursday, he will rejoin Marcio Jansen, who currently has three, as South Africa strives to establish a significant advantage.
Elgar, who assumed the captaincy on a pitch designed for seamers after Temba Bavuma injured his hamstring fielding on Tuesday, executed some unusually ostentatious front foot strokes in a hopeless innings against a formidable attack.
Although he scored a century in his fourteenth test, it was his first at his native ground of Centurion.
Elgar reached a century in 140 deliveries and participated in two significant partnerships: a foundation-setting 93 runs with Tony de Zorzi for the second wicket, and a subsequent 131 runs with Bedingham for the fourth wicket.
On his debut, the 29-year-old Bedingham appeared assured and self-assured as he amassed 56 runs before Mohammed Siraj dismissed him for the day with figures of 2-63.
Keegan Petersen was bowled for two runs after Jasprit Bumrah captured two more. He squared up De Zorzi (28) and forced a thick edge to third slip before dismissing Keegan Petersen.
Siraj had captured the initial wicket of the South African innings when Aiden Markram was dismissal-bound for five runs in the fourth over of the opposition’s assault.
Previously, KL Rahul reached a century prior to India’s dismissal for 245 in their opening innings, progressing from 208-8 overnight as play commenced 25 minutes later than scheduled due to a light rainfall.
Rahul, who began the first day of the test at 70 runs without being dismissed, reached his eighth test ton in remarkable fashion by smashing a six into the stands as the tourists added 37 runs to their total before being bowled out.
On the first day of the match, Tuesday, he offered a formidable resistance as South Africa came close to dismissing India without much difficulty but were thwarted by dropped catches and inconsistent bowling.
Rahul re-emerged on Wednesday with the same aggressive zeal and collected the poor deliveries in order to achieve a century before Nandre Burger struck him for 101 off 137 balls as the final man out.
In his debut, Burger amassed 3-50, while Kagiso Rabada was the host team’s choice with 5-59.