IND Vs SA: Sunil Gavaskar Questions Dean Elgars Cricketing Psychology After His Final Knock In International Cricket

Former Indian batting legend and 1983 Cricket World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar slammed South African captain Dean Elgar for choosing to bat first in a fresh Newlands track with a tinge of grass, offering heavy assistance for the bowlers throughout the entirety of Day 1.

Dean Elgar had claimed after winning the toss that the pitch looks very interesting and having defeated the Indians by an inning and 32 runs in the 1st test, South Africa’s main objective will be to start the day on a high note by putting pressure on the inexperienced Indian bowling attack.

But when the match began, Dean Elgar himself along with his players were taken off-guard by Mohammed Siraj’s magical spell which saw him register career-best figures of 6/15 in just 9 overs. He was the one responsible for South Africa’s dramatic collapse which saw them getting all out for just 55 runs.

Siraj also became the first Indian bowler in over 90 years to have racked up a 5-wicket haul before lunchtime and thanks to complimentary performances from Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar, India were able to draw the first blood.

Moreover, it was the 4th time that the Proteas had lost both of their openers for a single-digit score since 2014/15. India were responsible for their openers getting out before scoring 10 runs the previous 3 times as well, twice in 2018 with the most recent one coming in 2022.

“Dean Elgar Should Have Taken Advantage Of India’s Low Morale”, Claims Sunil Gavaskar

While speaking to Star Sports after the end of day 1, Sunil Gavaskar said that Dean Elgar made the first mistake during the toss by electing to bat first. Gavaskar said that he was quite shocked with Elgar’s decision as he thought South Africa should have bowled first instead and taken advantage of India’s low morale by refreshing the memories of the 1st test.

Gavaskar also claimed that Dean Elgar and the entire South African coaching management should have taken lessons from Australia’s mistakes when they had chosen to bowl first as well after bowling the team out for 36 in the 1st test during the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar series.

“I was a bit surprised by what happened. Because a lot of times, captains and coaches make a deal about what the pitch is gonna be. I think you’ve also got to look at the psychology of the Indian team, having been defeated in 3 days, having batted so poorly in the 2nd innings and gonna be batting first on a fresh pitch would have been just a little bit defensive.” – Gavaskar said.

“Something similar happened in Australia two years ago, Australia dismissed India for 36. The next Test was played in Melbourne, where the grass on the pitch was three millimeters more than the one at Adelaide. Australia batted first.” – Gavaskar concluded.

Dean Elgar Scores 12 On His Farewell Test Inning In Cape Town

Opener Dean Elgar who is filling in for Temba Bavuma as the captain of South Africa, was able to score just 12 runs in his final test match innings for the Proteas. He came to the Newlands test on the back of a terrific 185 and was expected to go all guns blazing in the 2nd Test too.

However, in the 1st inning, he fell under the wrath of Mohammed Siraj, getting hit wicket for just 4, and during the 2nd inning when South Africa needed him to stick to the pitch, Mukesh Kumar removed him from the crease for 12 runs as Dean Elgar handed an easy catch to Virat Kohli on the slips.

With the match still in a delicate position, Dean Elgar will at least hope to end his Test career by a 2-0 clean sweep over India if Aiden Markram who is in the crease with David Bedingham can post a healthy and defendable total.

Dean Elgar will retire after scoring 5331 runs in 85 tests at an average of 38.35 since making his debut in 2012.