Sun peeked through the overcast Centurion sky on Day 2 of the opening Test, but it was Dean Elgar’s hundred that truly shone bright, guiding South Africa to a narrow lead and putting India on the back foot. Let’s dissect the epic day in over-by-over detail:
Morning Sessions: Rahul’s Century, Indian Resurgence, Early South African Wickets
Overs 1-10: India resumed on 210/4, with KL Rahul looking imperious on 96. He reached his ton in style, a flick for four off Rabada sending the Centurion crowd roaring. Unfortunately, he departed soon after, caught brilliantly at gully by Elgar off Olivier. Ashwin and Jadeja steadied the ship, taking the score to 245/6 at lunch.
Overs 11-25: Post-lunch, India lost Jadeja and Shami quickly, but Bumrah’s late cameo of 23 (off 14!) pushed the total to 245 all out. South Africa’s reply started cautiously, with Elgar and debutant Bedingham watchful against Bumrah’s pace. Siraj struck early, dismissing Petersen cheaply, but the Proteas held firm.
Overs 26-40: Elgar and Bedingham started building a partnership, finding boundaries against the spinners. Thakur and Ashwin toiled away, but the runs kept flowing. Bedingham reached his fifty in style, a six off Jadeja clearing the long-on fence. Just as the partnership threatened to get big, Siraj delivered again, trapping Bedingham LBW for 51.
Afternoon Sessions: Elgar Stands Firm, Bavuma Falls, Wicket-Taker Bumrah
Overs 41-55: Bavuma replaced Bedingham, joining Elgar in the middle. The runs kept ticking, Elgar reaching his half-century with a crisp drive through the covers. Bavuma, however, struggled against Ashwin’s guile, eventually succumbing to a beautifully-flighted LBW for 28.
Overs 56-70: South Africa were 167/4, still trailing by 78 runs, but Elgar continued his masterclass. He found a willing ally in Van Der Dussen, the pair adding 42 runs in quick time. Bumrah, however, provided the breakthrough, castling Van Der Dussen for 28 with a searing yorker.
Overs 71-85: Elgar, nearing his ton, upped the ante. He reached the landmark with a flick behind square, raising his bat to a rapturous Centurion crowd. Marco Jansen joined him at the crease, and the pair saw off the remaining overs of the session, taking South Africa to 231/5 at tea.
Final Session: Early Stutters, Late Stand, Bad Light Halts Play
Overs 86-95: Post-tea, India needed quick wickets to get back into the game. Ashwin provided just that, sending Jansen back for 6 with a sharp arm-ball. Elgar remained unfazed, reaching 140 with a powerful on-drive. Olivier joined him and the pair added 25 runs before bad light intervened, forcing an early end to the day.
South Africa ended the day on 256/5, leading by a slender 11 runs. Elgar stood tall with an unbeaten 140, a testament to his grit and determination. Bumrah finished with 3 wickets, the lone bright spot for India’s bowlers.
Key Takeaways:
Elgar’s innings was a masterclass in resilience and technique.
South Africa’s batting showcased their depth, with contributions from Elgar, Bedingham, and Van Der Dussen.
India’s bowlers need to find a way to break through Elgar’s defense and take quick wickets tomorrow.
Looking Ahead:
Day 3 promises to be a pivotal day in the game. Can India dismiss Elgar early and claw their way back? Will South Africa extend their lead and put India under further pressure? The stage is set for a thrilling battle in Centurion.
