WATCH- Virat Kohli’s heartwarming gesture for Dean Elgar after his final Test innings for South Africa
Cape Town witnessed a cricket match for the ages as a staggering 23 wickets which fell on the opening day of the second Test between India and South Africa, breaking a 128-year-old […]
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Jan 4, 2024 11:01 am
On a day which took everyone by shock, Virat Kohli’s touching gesture towards the retiring Dean Elgar stood out
Cape Town witnessed a cricket match for the ages as a staggering 23 wickets which fell on the opening day of the second Test between India and South Africa, breaking a 128-year-old record for the most wickets on Day 1 of a South African Test. In a rollercoaster ride of swing, seam, and drama, both sides were skittled out in the first innings.
The day belonged to Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who ripped through the Proteas batting line-up with a lethal six-wicket haul for just 15 runs. South Africa crumbled for a paltry 55, their lowest-ever Test score against India. Kyle Verreynne and David Bedingham were the only batters to get into double figures as Siraj found menacing movement and bounced on a lively Newlands pitch.
India, chasing momentum, started briskly in reply. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a solid opening stand, while Virat Kohli looked exceptionally fluent in his 46. The script flipped dramatically post-lunch. Lungi Ngidi took advantage of the inconsistent bounce, triggering a spectacular Indian collapse. Six wickets tumbled in 11 deliveries, including a bizarre run-out of Siraj himself, as India self-destructed from 153/4 to 153 all out.
South Africa lost three wickets in their second innings with Aiden Markram and David Bedingham navigating the last few overs to reach 62/3 at stumps. They trail by 36 runs, leaving the match delicately poised heading into Day 2.
As we all know, the current game is the final one for Dean Elgar in international cricket. Yesterday, when South Africa opted to bat first, no one would have expected that his job with the bat would be over on the first day itself. That was just how absurd yesterday’s day was. With both sides quickly completing their first innings, Elgar’s second and final innings came in the evening.
He looked quite solid during his stay at the crease before he was dismissed by Mukesh Kumar for 12 runs. Mukesh was ecstatic in his celebration but Virat Kohli, being the icon that he is, realized that this was Elgar’s final innings and immediately gestured for the crowd to bow to him as he left for one last time. Kohli, along with Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj also went to congratulate him on what has been a fine career.
