Dean Elgar To Retire After India Tests: Report

South Africa batsman Dean Elgar is reportedly considering retiring from Tests after the conclusion of the forthcoming home series against India. South Africa are hosting India for three T20Is, three ODIs, and a couple of Tests.

The T20I series got underway on Sunday (December) but the first match was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain. The Test series is scheduled to start on December 26. And Dean Elgar could be playing his last Test series for the Proteas, according to Rapport newspaper.

One of the reasons behind the left-handed batsman’s decision is his belief that he is not included in Test coach Shukri Conrad’s long-term plans. The veteran opener is enjoying a good run in the domestic circuit where he has scored 402 runs in six innings for Titans at an average of 80.40. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the competition.

Dean Elgar likely to retire after India Tests:

The news outlet reported that Dean Elgar was expected to lead a depleted South Africa team in a two-Test series in New Zealand in February in the absence of some big names who will be playing in SA20. However, the talk between the former captain and Cricket South Africa didn’t go really well.

Proteas coach Conrad is reportedly considering selecting Neil Brand, South Africa A’s captain, as the opening batsman for the series in New Zealand. In case, Dean Elgar decides to retire before the series against the Black Caps, Tony de Zorzi is likely to open the innings alongside Brand.

“Just expect the news [of his retirement] to break soon,” Rapport quoted a source.

Dean Elgar has played for South Africa’s Test team for over a decade. The 36-year-old made his Test debut in 2012 against Australia in Perth. So far, he has played 84 Tests and has scored over 5000 runs with the help of 13 centuries and 23 half-centuries. He has also represented South Africa in 8 ODIs with his last appearance in the format coming back in 2018.