JOHANNESBURG, Jan 6: A gutsy Dean Elgar was happy to shun elegance for efficacy as he steered South Africa to a creditable seven-wicket series-levelling victory in the second Test against India here on Thursday.
The defeat was India’s first at the Bull Ring in 30 years.
Chasing a target of 240, skipper Elgar, who was prepared to look ugly and forgettable in terms of aesthetics that one generally associates with southpaws, carried his bat through with an unbeaten 96 to set up an exciting final Test at the Newlands in Cape Town starting January 11.
If Aiden Markram and Keegan Petersen gave him good support on the third day, Rassie Van der Dussen (40), with an 82-run stand, ensured victory on a rain-soaked fourth day marking an inauspicious start to India captaincy for KL Rahul, who is supposed to be groomed for future leadership.
Elgar had soaked in all the pressure and hostility in the third evening, which had literally blunted the Indian attack and Mohammed Siraj’s injury in a tricky chase became a huge factor.
The Proteas skipper took a couple of blows on the head, a few on the chest, more on the knuckles, one on the shoulder, all of which were badges of honour for a batter who conforms more with ‘Shivanarine Chanderpaul School of Batsmanship.’
In the final context, the lowly first innings total of 202 became India’s undoing. India’s strategy at the start was baffling as Ravichandran Ashwin (11-2-20-1) was handed the ball along with Jasprit Bumrah (17-2-70-0), who was very wayward on the third evening.
An on drive off Ashwin brought up Elgar’s second half century in two games. Van der Dussen came into his own with a flick and pull off successive Shami deliveries and the bowler, in sheer frustration, bowled a bouncer that went for four byes.
Shami landed one on the fuller length to get Van der Dussen fend awkwardly and Cheteshwar Pujara, in first slip, held on to a regulation catch. However, by then the target had reduced to 65 and when Thakur missed a tough reflex return catch offered by Temba Bavuma, the writing was on the wall for the Indians.
When the pint-sized Bavuma dispatched Bumrah through the covers, the shoulders finally dropped for most of the players. (PTI)
