In a gripping showdown at Newlands in Cape Town, India clashed with South Africa in the second Test. The initial loss for India in the series meant their aspiration of clinching a Test series victory on South African soil remained unfulfilled. However, the match took on a special significance as it marked the farewell of South African batting stalwart Dean Elgar from Test cricket.
The emotional occasion witnessed Indian batting maestros Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma presenting Elgar with signed jerseys, marking a token of respect and admiration for the departing icon.
Elgar, leading the Proteas in the absence of Temba Bavuma, contributed 12 runs in his final Test innings during the 2nd Test against India. His earlier knock in the first innings amounted to four runs, a modest contribution as the hosts struggled, collapsing for a mere 55 runs. The brief innings concluded an illustrious career for Elgar, a player revered for his remarkable achievements in the cricketing arena.
The former South Africa captain had left an indelible mark earlier in the series opener in Centurion, where he unleashed a sensational century, smashing 185 runs off 287 deliveries. This monumental knock stood as his highest score against India in Test cricket, surpassing his previous best of 160 in Vizag back in 2019. His innings of 185 remained the second-highest score in his Test career, trailing only behind his 199 against Bangladesh in 2017.
Elgar finds his name embossed in record books as he leaps
As he bid adieu to the Test arena, the Proteas opener finished as South Africa’s eighth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, amassing 5,347 runs from 86 Tests at an impressive average of 37.92. His stellar career boasted 14 centuries and 23 fifties, securing his place among the batting elites.
The seasoned campaigner also achieved the milestone of surpassing 1,000 Test runs against India during the 2nd Test in Cape Town, becoming the third Proteas batter to achieve this feat alongside Jacque Kallis and Hashim Amla. Elgar’s tally against India culminated at 1,012 runs from 15 Tests, maintaining an average of 40.48, featuring six scores of 50 or more, including two centuries.