Just a tough, yet brilliant day for the hosts

“I would describe it as a brilliant day for South Africa,” Dean Elgar said when asked for his summary of the fourth day of the second Test against India at Centurion yesterday by a minimalist television reporter.

It was certainly a tough day for the Proteas as they struggled to 258 all out, Elgar providing some vital stability at the top with his bloodyminded 61 in more than three hours, but by the end of play it was India who were squirming uncomfortably on 35 for three in pursuit of 287 for victory.

That would be the highest Test run chase at this ground, which usually produces pitches that are far better behaved.

“It was by no means easy and conditions were in India’s favour with [Ravichandran] Ashwin getting quite a lot of turn and their seamers were effective too. We were in quite a lot of trouble on three for two when me and AB [De Villiers] came together, so we decided to just take it five overs at a time. We just tried to accumulate runs and get a partnership going and a first-innings lead of 28 is quite good on that pitch.

“The nature of the pitch meant we just had to bat for as long as possible, there was so much time left. The bowlers then stuck their hands up the way they’ve been doing the whole of last year, they’re hitting the mark a lot quicker than maybe we’ve done in the past, so it was a massive day for us,” Elgar said.

Crucially, one of the three Indian wickets to fall was that of Virat Kohli, their larger-than-life captain, talisman and batting genius. He was trapped lbw for just five by Lungi Ngidi, the debutant having something major to brag about after his first Test as he bagged the scalp of one of the world’s best batsmen, who had produced a magnificent 153 in the first innings.

“I am sitting here smiling because that’s one less very competitive, extremely talented guy we have to deal with. Virat’s wicket was a massive one to get and I am sure it is massive for India knowing that they won’t have him to bat tomorrow.

“What he did in the first innings was very special but he’s a human being so he can also fail. Now we need to get seven more wickets on the last day and we don’t care how,” Elgar said.