IND vs SA, 1st Test Day 2: Ton up Elgar stands tall as Proteas take vital lead in first innings at Centurion
Xtra Time Web Desk: In a captivating display of skill and determination, Dean Elgar dominated Day 2 of the first Test against India at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Playing in his penultimate Test, the left-handed batsman showcased his class with a fluent century, scoring an unbeaten 140 at stumps. Elgar, who has announced that this series will be his last, asserted his authority over the Indian bowlers with counter-attacking shots on both sides of the ground.
Despite India bouncing back with a couple of wickets in the final session, South Africa managed to take an 11-run lead at stumps, reaching 256/5 in reply to India's 245. Elgar, along with Marco Jansen (4*), remained unbeaten at the end of the day. Two key partnerships, a 93-run stand with Tony de Zorzi and a 131-run partnership with debutant David Bedingham, allowed South Africa to gain a slight upper hand.
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Elgar's innings, his 14th Test century and only the second against India, included 23 fours in his unbeaten 211-ball knock. The Proteas veteran strategically attacked the third and fourth pacers, rendering them ineffective on a good bowling track.
Earlier in the day, India's KL Rahul played a crucial role, scripting history with a fine century (101). Despite facing challenges, Rahul aggressively took on the bowlers, reaching the triple-figure mark with sixes off Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee.
Rahul held the fort in what turned out to be a tough day for the Indian batters in overcast conditions at the SuperSport Park. Star Proteas Pacer Kagiso Rabada was at his lethal best, picking up a fifer on a track offering extra and variable bounce. However, Rahul continued his love affair with the venue, displaying excellent temperament on a difficult pitch taking India to 208 for 8 in 59 overs when rain forced early stumps.
Rabada (5/44 in 17 overs) bowled two of the most intimidating and incisive spells witnessed in recent times to completely rock the Indian batting line-up, which struggled to cope with the conditions.
Had it not been for Rahul, India would have found it tough to cross even the 170-run mark. The six-over cover off left-arm pacer Marco Jansen and the slash over backward point to complete his fifty with a maximum were the stuff of beauty.
