Dean Elgar played a spectacular knock of 96 not out as South Africa crushed India by seven wickets on the fourth day which was heavily impacted by rains, in the second Test to level the series 1-1, with the final match to be played at Newlands, Cape Town in a few days’ time.
South Africa started the proceedings after the first two sessions of the fourth day were washed out by rain. After several inspections, the play resumed at 3:45 PM local time with 34 overs slated to be bowled. However, South Africa, who required another 122 runs to win with 8 wickets in hand, consumed only 27.4 overs and lost a solitary wicket in the form of overnight batsman Rassie van der Dussen to get on level terms with the Indian team in the three-match series.
Indian bowlers tried really hard to break through but South Africa batsmen were determined to get the job done. Elgar, who had batted extremely well on the third day while taking several blows to his body, continued to fight hard for his side as he remained unbeaten on 96 from 188 balls for which he also hit 10 boundaries.
Elgar was well supported by middle order batsman van der Dussen, who made 40 from 92 balls with the help of five boundaries while adding 82 runs for the third wicket to put their side completely in command of the cheese.
The Indian bowlers struggled with a wet outfield as from the third over in the day itself they started requesting the empires to change the ball, which was finally accepted in the ninth over of the day. However, none of that had an impact on the outcome of the game as South Africa continued to score at a healthy run rate.
The right-arm India fast bowler Mohammad Shami got the only wicket on the fourth day in the form of van der Dussen, getting him caught in the slips by Cheteshwar Pujara. However the breakthrough had no impact on the momentum that South Africa had created for themselves, as Elgar, in the company of his deputy Temba Bavuma finished the game with seven wickets in hand. Bavuma remained unbeaten on 23 from 45 balls with the help of three boundaries.
It was for the first time that South Africa had beaten an Indian team at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Before this, India had played five matches from which they had drawn 3 and won 2, which included an impressive victory last time around on the tour in 2018.
Elgar was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant innings of 96 not out. The third and final Test for the freedom trophy will be played at Newlands, Cape Town from January 11.
With their fortress Wanderers breached, India will hope to bounce back strongly with the teams facing off in Cape Town where their record is ordinary. In 5 matches played at Newlands so far, India have drawn 2 while they have lost 3.