India vs South Africa, 1st Test, Day 2 Cricket Match Highlights: Bad light forces early stumps on Day 2, South Africa 256/5, lead India by 11 runs
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Dec 28, 2023, 12:25:16 IST
Comments
Share
India vs South Africa, 1st Test, Day 2 Cricket Match Highlights: Bad light forces early stumps on Day 2, South Africa 256/5, lead India by 11 runs
IND vs SA 1st Test Highlights: An unbeaten century from veteran Dean Elgar and fifty on debut from David Bedingham allowed South Africa to take an 11-run lead with five wickets in hand over India when bad light ended play on the second day of the first Test at Centurion on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old Elgar is retiring from international cricket after the two-Test series but played one of the best innings of his long career as he scored an emotive 140 not out to help the hosts to 256-5 in reply to India’s first innings total of 245.
He will resume on Thursday with Marcio Jansen, who has three, with South Africa seeking to build a substantive lead.
Elgar, who took over the captaincy after Temba Bavuma pulled his hamstring fielding on Tuesday, played some unusually flamboyant front foot strokes in a chanceless innings against a fearsome attack on a track set up for the seamers.
He scored a 14th Test century but his first at Centurion, which is his home ground.
Elgar brought up his ton in 140 balls and featured in two important partnerships -- first 93 runs for the second wicket with Tony de Zorzi, which set a good foundation, and then 131 with Bedingham for the fourth wicket.
The 29-year-old Bedingham looked assured and confident on debut as he scored 56 before being bowled by Mohammed Siraj, who finished the day with figures of 2-63.
Jasprit Bumrah also took two wickets, squaring up De Zorzi (28) and forcing a thick edge to third slip and then bowling Keegan Petersen for two.
Siraj had taken the first wicket of the innings when Aiden Markram went cheaply for five in the fourth over of South Africa’s knock.
Earlier, KL Rahul completed his century before India were dismissed for 245 in their first innings, moving on from 208-8 overnight with play commencing 25 minutes late because of light drizzle.
Rahul, who was 70 not out at the start, went to an eighth Test ton in spectacular fashion, hammering a six into the crowd as the tourists added 37 runs to their first day score before being bowled out.
He had provided stout resistance on the opening day on Tuesday as South Africa threatened to dismiss India cheaply but were let down by spilt catches and inconsistent bowling.
Rahul came out again on Wednesday with the same aggressive intent and put away the bad balls to reach his century before being the last man dismissed as Nandre Burger bowled him for 101 off 137 balls.
Burger finished with 3-50 on his debut with Kagiso Rabada the pick of the home bowlers with 5-59.
South Africa win the toss and the home team's skipper Temba Bavuma decides to bowl first. Prasidh Krishna is making his Test debut for India.Ravichandran Ashwin gets a game as Jadeja developed a neck spasm this morning and was ruled out. Two debutants for South Africa - Nandre Burger and David Bedingham.
13:35 (IST) Dec 26
IND vs SA Live: India will have a debutant in the eleven
The Indian think-tank has decided to award a Test debut to fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who has been handed over his debut cap by Indian bowling's spearhead and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah. And it's a good venue and favourable conditions for a fast bowler to make his debut. Will he get the new ball? We will know soon.
13:32 (IST) Dec 26
IND vs SA Live: Umpires inspect the pitch
After inspecting the damp spots of concern, the umpires seem satisfied. As a result, it has been decided that the toss will be at 1:45 pm IST and play to start 15 minutes after that at 2 pm.
13:19 (IST) Dec 26
India vs South Africa: Latest from the venue
The ground staff has brought out hair-dryers to dry the damp patches. The sun is out, in the meanwhile, which is a good sign and should help play start soon.
13:15 (IST) Dec 26
IND vs SA Live: In case you missed it, here's how Rohit and Kohli hit the groove in the nets
— StarSportsIndia (@StarSportsIndia)
13:04 (IST) Dec 26
Confirmation from the BCCI about the delay in toss
— BCCI (@BCCI)
12:56 (IST) Dec 26
IND vs SA Live: Toss delayed because of wet patches on the field. Inspection in 30 minutes.
12:54 (IST) Dec 26
There is grass, but the surface is also soft at the moment...it will always offer something or the other for the bowlers throughout the match
Irfan Pathan at the toss
12:52 (IST) Dec 26
Typical Centurion wicket, lots of grass on it...270-280 will be a good total in the first innings
Ravi Shastri at the pitch report
12:39 (IST) Dec 26
India vs South Africa: Talking about India's preparation for the high-profile series, here's what Rohit Sharma had to say at the pre-match press conference on Monday
— StarSportsIndia (@StarSportsIndia)
12:32 (IST) Dec 26
IND vs SA Live: KL Rahul's eagerness to add value to the team by extending his wicket-keeping role to Tests means S Bharat will miss out. India can play an additional pure batsman in Shreyas Iyer and also play five bowlers due to Rahul's role.
12:28 (IST) Dec 26
IND vs SA Live: Here's what the top SA players spoke about Virat Kohli's legendary status
Here's how India have fared in the rainbow nation since 1992
11:50 (IST) Dec 26
Will the 31-year wait end on this tour?
11:47 (IST) Dec 26
But there is a rain threat to start things off, with the forecast in Centurion not looking very promising for a full day's play.
11:46 (IST) Dec 26
The SuperSport Park at Centurion is the venue for the first Test beginning today, as Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli, returns to lead India after the duo excused themselfes from the T20I and ODI series on the tour.
11:44 (IST) Dec 26
Welcome once again to Timesofindia.com! It's the day that the colour of the ball changes on India's tour of South Africa and the coloured clothing makes way for the whites. It's the start of the two-match Test series.