Dean Elgar produced an incredible century to lead his team to 256/5 at stumps on Day 2, putting South Africa well ahead of India in the first innings. The Proteas’ innings were held together by the opening batsman, who was undefeated at 140* (211) after India had been bowled out for 245 earlier in the day.
India started the day restarting their innings with a score of 208/8 from the previous night. KL Rahul, who was unbeaten at 70, scored fast runs in the opening session to record his eighth century in Test cricket (101 off 137). Notably, he had previously scored in 2021, making it his second hundred in a row in Centurion. India eventually went down for 245 after the tail was unable to make much of an impact.
KL Rahul got one straight off of Aiden Markram in the fourth over, which led to his dismissal early in the innings. Following his dismissal, Tony de Zorzi took over at the wicket, holding one end as Dean Elgar kept the scoreboard ticking over from the other.
Before Jasprit Bumrah interrupted their stand by removing de Zorzi in the second session, the pair put on 93 runs for the second wicket. Significantly, Virat Kohli employed Stuart Broad’s cunning tactic of tossing the bails before the delivery, which unexpectedly paid off for India by giving them the wicket.
In his next over, Bumrah devastated Keegan Pietersen’s stumps even more, bringing South Africa to 113/3. Still, Elgar finished his 14th Test century with runs coming in from the opposite end. David Bedingham provided him with excellent support and struck an incredible fifty (56 off 87) in his debut. To drain the life out of India’s bowling attack, the two engaged in a mammoth 131-run stand.
In the late afternoon, India was able to take two wickets.
Late in the day, Mohammed Siraj restored his team’s lead by dismissing Bedingham, and Prasidh Krishna claimed his first-ever wicket in a Test match when he caught Kyle Verreynne behind. Day 2’s game had to be canceled early as well, as bad light once again played spoilsport. With Dean Elgar and Marco Jansen at the crease, South Africa concluded Day 2 on 256/5.
On an action-packed Day 2, X was a flurry of reactions. Listed below are a few posts:
With success @imVkohli ?! https://t.co/yKmPajb2sg
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) December 27, 2023
Nothing but respect for the way this man plays his cricket. Almost single-handedly took his team into the lead. He sure loves batting against India. #SAvIND #DeanElgar pic.twitter.com/aGlPymvqF8
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 27, 2023
Well played @klrahul. What impressed me was his clarity of thought. His footwork looked precise and assured, and that happens when a batter is thinking right. This century is crucial in the context of this Test. India would be happy with 245 considering where they were at one… pic.twitter.com/Dtw9HpjAIC
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 27, 2023
Bedingham can bat! SA got a good one here!
— Kevin Pietersen
(@KP24) December 27, 2023
Yes man
https://t.co/HbewwUEiJf
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) December 27, 2023
Centurion’s favorite visitor strikes again! KL Rahul’s sublime 101 against South Africa adds another chapter to his impressive record at this venue.
@klrahul #KLAtCenturion #CricketHistory
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) December 27, 2023
‘Bail’ wizardry ft. our very own KING!
Tune-in to Day 2 of the #SAvIND 1st Test
LIVE NOW | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/MYUeJ2WGTO— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 27, 2023
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