SA vs IND 2018, 2nd Test: The Wicket of Kohli is Massive for Us - Dean Elgar

The Proteas are nearing yet another series victory against India at home, as they ended the 4^th day’s play of the 2^nd Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on a winning position and unless something dramatic happens, they are all set to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. It was an impressive bowling performance by the visitors during the first couple of sessions of the day.

Despite a positive start by Dean Elgar and AB de Villiers, Mohammed Shami kept chipping away with the wickets, and from a commanding position of 144/2, South Africa was reduced to 163/5. It was a terrific spell of fast bowling by Shami, as he removed set batsmen AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar and then prized out Quinton de Kock after the southpaw survived three close shaves in three consecutive deliveries.

After a solid partnership between Faf du Plessis and Vernon Philander, it was Ishant Sharma who broke the partnership and removed Philander with a slower short delivery. Ishant also bagged the next wicket of Keshav Maharaj. Jasprit Bumrah came back and bagged his 3^rd wicket of the innings, as he induced a false shot from du Plessis with a well directed slower cutter.

Eventually, the hosts reached a score of 258 in their 2^nd innings thus giving India a relatively a tough target of 287 to chase in their 2^nd innings. The visitors got off to the worst possible start and lost their first three wickets for a mere 26 runs. Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli were undone by deliveries which kept relatively low to their liking while KL Rahul gave away his wicket pretty cheaply on a platter.

The wicket of Kohli will prove a huge boost for the hosts especially after a sensational 153 in the 1^st innings. South African opener Dean Elgar was overjoyed at the fall of his wicket, and after the day’s play, he said that the wicket would definitely prove to a huge plus for the hosts on the final day. Here is what Elgar said at the fall of Kohli’s wicket.

“It’s massive for us and massive for India knowing that he’s not batting. He is a very special batsman, as we saw in the first innings, and we knew it was a massive moment to get him out.”

“We also knew that it was very possible because he’s human and he can also fail. I’m sitting here with a smile on my face knowing that he’s one less extremely talented guy that we don’t have to deal with.”

We need to get seven wickets somehow. We don’t really care how we get there.”

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