India go wayward at Wanderers

Elgar anchors scrappy South Africa to seven-wicket win, series level at 11

Mohammed Rumman Khan | NT

Johannesburg: A gutsy Dean Elgar was happy to shun elegance for efficacy as he steered South Africa to a creditable sevenwicket series-levelling victory in the second Test against India here on Thursday.

The defeat was India’s first at the Bull Ring in 30 years Chasing a target of 240, skipper Elgar, who was prepared to look ugly and forgettable in terms of aesthetics that one generally associates with southpaws, carried his bat through with an unbeaten 96 to set up an exciting final Test at the Newlands in Cape Town starting January 11.

If Aiden Markram and Keegan Petersen gave him good support on the third day, Rassie Van der Dussen (40), with an 82-run stand, ensured victory on a rainsoaked fourth day marking an inauspicious start to India captaincy for KL Rahul, who is supposed to be groomed for future leadership.

Elgar had soaked in all the pressure and hostility in the third evening, which had literally blunted the Indian attack and Mohammed Siraj’s injury in a tricky chase became a huge factor.

The Proteas skipper had taken a couple of blows on the head, a few on the chest, another few on the knuckle, one on the shoulder, all of which were like badges of honour for a batter who conforms more with “Shivanarine Chanderpaul School of Batsmanship” rather than Brian Lara’s.

No amount of lip service could unnerve Elgar as he smirked, smiled and went about his business leaving the visitors even more frustrated.

In the final context, the lowly first innings total of 202 became India’s undoing. Cheteshwar Pujara, during the postplay media interaction on the third day, had spoken about the first hour being helpful for batting but he hadn’t factored in the rain which would lead to a lot of moisture but also leave the ball wet making it difficult to grip.

What worked for India in the previous three bowling innings in this series is exactly where they were found wanting on the day.

There were too many boundary balls, length all wrong in that first hour in the fourth afternoon which was like playing into South Africa’s hands. 16 wides, including boundary byes, didn’t help the cause either.

India’s strategy baffling

India’s strategy at the start was baffling as Ravichandran Ashwin (11-2-20-1) was handed the ball along with Jasprit Bumrah (17-2-70-0), who was very wayward on the third evening.

Rahul could be cut some slack as it is his first game as an India captain but starting the day with Ashwin under overcast conditions and wet outfield certainly deserves some kind of explanation from the team think-tank.

Especially, when both head coach Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli were in the dressing room, it is impossible to believe that the young captain wasn’t tutored about the combination to use at the onset.

The wet ball also did add to India’s worries with both Bumrah and Mohammad Shami (17-3-55-1) trying to bowl too short resulting in at least two boundary byes over Rishabh Pant’s head.