Deal Elgar is all set to lead South Africa against India in the final Test match of his career in Cape Town. The southpaw was named the Man of the Match for his 185 in South Africa’s first Test win at Centurion. His knock paved the way for the team’s first innings total of 408 which proved to be enough in the end.
With Temba Bavuma ruled out of the second Test due to a hamstring injury, Elgar was named the captain of the second Test. He stood as the stand-in captain in the first Test at Centurion.
Deal Elgar has played 85 Test matches for South Africa since making his debut in 2012. He is considered one of the most determined gutsy batters who has ever played Test cricket. His 185-run knock against India was a testament of the same. Heading into the second Test, Elgar said that a Test series win against India is similar to a World Cup win for him.
“I only play the game to win. I don’t care about stats. I care about wins. I care about series wins. That’s the greatest memories you can ever share with your team, everyone that has got an influential role in the background. Test series wins – you don’t top that. Maybe a World Cup win is up there. I have never had that opportunity but this is my World Cup. This is my arena where I want to win” Elgar said on the eve of his final Test.
Elgar has a few records lined up for him in the second Test. He is 167 runs away from Surpassing Markl Boucher’s tally of 5498 runs in Test cricket. The southpaw currently sits at 5331 runs from 85 Test matches. Only six South African batters have scored more than 6000 runs in Test cricket. He is also set to equal Herbie Taylor, with 18 Tests as captain, the fifth-most by a South African.
Elgar said that being given the chance to lead South Africa again in the absence of Temba Bavuma is among Elgar’s proudest achievements in international cricket.
“I don’t think you get a bigger accolade or bigger credit than to be asked to captain. I did it in the past for a year-and-a-half or whatever it was and it has been the best learning experience for me as an individual – not just from a cricketing point of view but off-field stuff” said Elgar.
“I give my 100% whether I am playing or captaining and I am going to have that mentality going into this game. For me, it’s about showing the right ways for the younger players and hopefully that catches on” he further added.
India A Powerhouse Nation In World Cricket: Dean Elgar
South Africa defeated India 2-1 under Dean Elgar’s captaincy in 2021. Elgat has now a chance to whitewash the same opponents in the final Test match of his career. That Test series saw Virat Kohli step down as India’s Test captain after the series defeat.
“There’s no bigger honor than to captain your country irrespective of who you are playing against but being against India adds more flavor. India is the powerhouse nation in the world and we are in a situation where I can influence and try to get a 2-nil win” Elgar completed saying.
South Africa won the first Test by an innings and 32 runs.
Also Read: India vs South Africa Match Preview- 2nd Test, 2023-24
The post IND vs SA: Dean Elgar Labels Test Series vs India As His Own World Cup appeared first on CricketAddictor.
Deal Elgar is all set to lead South Africa against India in the final Test match of his career in Cape Town. The southpaw was named the Man of the Match for his 185 in South Africa’s first Test win at Centurion. His knock paved the way for the team’s first innings total of 408
The post IND vs SA: Dean Elgar Labels Test Series vs India As His Own World Cup appeared first on CricketAddictor.
