‘Lord’ Shardul Thakur gave India their first breakthrough on Day 3 of the ongoing Test match against South Africa in Centurion.
It was the big wicket of the centurion Dean Elgar, though it came way later than India would have wanted as the hopes of resuscitating in this Test match and of winning a first-ever Test series in South Africa have dwindled after Elgar’s knock of 185 runs, only 60 runs fewer than what the entire Indian side managed in their first innings.
It was a bit of a lucky wicket as well for Shardul Thakur and India as Deal Elgar got strangled down the legside from an innocuous short delivery from the medium pacer.
Batting very well on 185 off 286 deliveries, and India looking more and more helpless as the first session progressed, Elgar perhaps wanted to have a feel of the short ball outside leg-stump but decided to withdraw. However, the ball brushed his glove, and KL Rahul took a simple catch.
Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, looked relieved after Elgar’s wicket and gave Thakur a pat on the back for the dismissal. The short ball ploy was a tactic India had decided to go after Elgar with, and it finally gave them his wicket.
Shardul Thakur and KL Rahul were certain of some glove through to Elgar and the on-field umpire, too, gave it out. Elgar opted for a DRS, but it went in vain. Nonetheless, the South African opener, who is playing his last Test series, walked off to a standing ovation.
Watch: Shardul Thakur gets the prized wicket of Dean Elgar; gets a pat on the back from Rohit Sharma
Strangled down leg & #DeanElgar finally departs!
It took a rip snorter from #ShardulThakur to end Elgar's vigil of 185!
Tune in to #SAvIND 1st Test
LIVE NOW | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/MpzWDTRpnJ— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 28, 2023
Elgar and Marco Jansen forged a large partnership of 111 (199) that has all but batted India out of this Test match. Gerald Coetzee cracked two fours and a six before getting out to Ashwin at the stroke of lunch. South Africa have taken a lead of 147 by lunch on Day 3.
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