IND vs SA, Centurion Test: Our Batters Let Us Down - Dean Elgar

South Africa captain Dean Elgar has been disappointed by the way the South African batsmen applied themselves in the first Test against India at Centurion. In both innings, the hosts couldn’t cross the 200-run mark and that proved to be the difference between the two sides.

South African batting showed no spine in the first innings as they got rolled over for 197, conceding a lead of 130 runs. In the second innings, chasing 305 runs to win, the Proteas fell 113 runs short and that gave India their first win at Centurion.

However, not all is lost for South Africa as skipper Dean Elgar believes they have enough in the tank to stage a strong comeback.

Here is what he had to say in the post-match presentation ceremony: “New ball is something you have to get through playing here. Can’t emphasize enough on the hard work our bowlers put in to get 20 wickets. Our batters let us down.

“I’d say the batting was the difference between the two sides. We’ll have a little sit-down with myself and the management to strategize. Didn’t do a lot of wrong things. Not all doom and gloom for us. We thrive under the pressure which is a positive for us.”

Indian openers did the fundamentals right: Dean Elgar

Dean Elgar credited the Indian openers for showing excellent application in the first innings. Both Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul looked good in the first innings and scored 60 and 122 respectively. He also accepted that at the start the South African seamers missed their line and length and it took time for them to get back to the right areas to hit.

“Obviously not a nice thing knowing we lost a Test here. Did a few things wrong. A lot of positives coming out that we can use in the next two. Always the nature here. Always going to be tough because the wicket’s playing slower (first morning). Indian openers did the fundamentals right.

“We didn’t quite execute the lengths well. After some good chats our bowlers executed the lengths and restricted India to what we thought was a par score,” Elgar concluded.

India have taken a 1-0 lead in the series and will look to seal the series in the second Test at Johannesburg.

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