Subhradeep
- Dec 27, 2023
- 3 min read

SA vs IND, 1st Test, Day 2: Elgar 140* puts SA in commanding position

South Africa vs India, 1st Test, Day 2: Dean Elgar's 140* & David Bedingham's 56 provide South Africa 11 run lead at end of Day 2 of centurion Test. South Africa are at 256-5.

South Africa vs India, 1st Test, Day 2: Dean Elgar's 140* helps South Africa take 11 run lead on Day 2 | Walking Wicket (Photo_ ©ICC_Twitter) — Elgar scored 140* on day 2 in South Africa vs India test (Photo: ©ICC/Twitter)

Brief Scores: SA 256/5 (Elgar 140*, Bedingham 56, Bumrah 2/48) lead IND 245 (Rahul 101, Rabada 5/59, Burger 3/50) by 11 runs at Stumps on Day 2.

KL Rahul’s masterful knock of 101 took India to 245. But, Dean Elgar overshadowed his knock with a breathtaking century to give India a vital lead. India came in the second day at 208/8, thanks to KL Rahul’s masterful unbeaten 70-run knock. South Africa were looking to finish the job quickly, shouldered by Kagiso Rabada, who wreaked havoc on the first day with 5/44. India looked to add a few runs before their pacers would show their magic. Meanwhile, hosts South Africa aimed at a huge first innings total on the second day of the first Test at the SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Talking point from SA vs IND, Day 2: Elgar showed courage and aggression

Dean Elgar in his penultimate Test match batted with courage and class. He took on the India bowlers in an aggressive manner from the start. India bowled decently, but Elgar answered them well. He soaked up the pressure from one end for the Proteas.

Rahul’s 101 takes India to a fighting 245

The overnight duo of Mohammad Siraj and KL Rahul frustrated South Africa. Siraj held one end, while Rahul kept on playing the attacking shots. Even though Siraj got out, the 47-run ninth wicket stand gave India vital runs from the lower order. Finally, Rahul celebrated his eighth Test century, as he nailed Gerald Coetzee for a six over deep mid-wicket. India finished the first innings on 245.

SA progressed to 49/1 at lunch, trailing by 196 runs

India got an early wicket, as Siraj found the outside edge of Aiden Markram. But Dean Elgar and Tony de Zorzi denied any further damage with a 38* run second wicket stand. SA went to lunch at 49/1.

Elgar’s 115* puts SA at the top with 194/3, trailing by 51 runs at Tea

Both carried on aggressively after the break. Elgar looked fluent with some attractive drives through covers and straight down the ground to reach fifty in his penultimate Test match. Jasprit Bumrah finally came back to break the 93-run stand and also sent back Keegan Petersen early.

Just when things started to come India’s way, Elgar and debutant David Bedingham managed to stitch another partnership. With a pull through the square leg area, Elgar roared for his 14th Test century. The 81* run fifth wicket stand advanced SA to 194/3 at the Tea break.

131-run fourth wicket stand takes SA to 256/5 at Stumps, lead by 11 runs

The duo batted with intent from the very beginning of the third session. India went with their short ball tactic but lacked results. Bedingham celebrated his maiden Test fifty on debut. Finally, Siraj with an in-swinging delivery disturbed the the debutant’s stumps. India got themselves back in the game with a couple of quick wickets. But the dark clouds came over the ground, as the umpires took the players off with bad light to bring an early stumps.

What to expect on Day 3

South Africa will look to increase their lead with more batting at the start of day 3. India’s main aim will be taking early wickets, and especially sending back Elgar soon to keep the lead under 50 runs.

Statistical highlights from the India vs South Africa, 1st Test, Day 2

KL Rahul becomes the first overseas batter to score multiple Test centuries at the SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Rahul now has 261 Test runs in five innings at an average of 52.2 in Centurion.
Rabada is the second-highest wicket-taker (55) in Tests in Centurion.
Rahul becomes just the second India wicketkeeper batter after Rishabh Pant to score Test century in SENA countries.
The 131-run stand between Elgar and Bedingham is SA’s second-highest fourth-wicket stand in Tests against India.