Only Dean Elgar knows how he survived the opening spell of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj at the Centurion ground last week. On a spicy pitch, the Indian pace duo was every bit as incisive as Kagiso Rabada was for South Africa. But Elgar’s warrior spirit was on full display. For the left-handed opening batter, it has never been about aesthetic appeal, his game is based on doggedness and a survival instinct that wants to get the job done for his team.
As India’s batters look to find a way to cope with the tough conditions in South Africa, they will do well to follow the template set by the SA veteran who will be playing his farewell Test.
At Centurion, he walked away with all the plaudits for his epic 185 but for Elgar, it’s never been about the centuries but the value of playing out the new ball and setting the foundation for the rest of the line-up. During the first Test, he again did his primary job well in the company of No 3 batter Tony de Zorzi by ensuring SA touched 100 for the loss of only one wicket.
It was in sharp contrast to India’s top-order’s performance where the top 3 of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill all fell cheaply in both innings. After being reduced to 24/3 in 11.1 overs in the first essay, they were three down for 52 runs in 14 overs in the second. It meant the South Africa bowlers remained fresh to have a go at India’s middle-order. Only a heroic century by KL Rahul helped India cross the 200-run mark. In the second innings, there was no such bail out and the team crashed to a lowly 131 all out.
As India look to square the series, the onus is on Rohit, Yashasvi and Gill to emulate Elgar in the way he puts a price on his wicket and see off the new ball.
Rohit, Jaiswal and Gill are all modern batters who like to attack and set the tone for the game, a mindset which works in good batting conditions where you are trying to take the advantage of the new ball while it is still hard. But in South African conditions against the quality of their bowlers, it is a different level of challenge. They will be needed to play against their grain, concentrate mainly on staying at the wicket at all costs.
Yashasvi has shown it he can do that kind of role. During his debut hundred against the West Indies, he had batted with great patience playing 387 balls for his 171. During Rohit’s most successful overseas tour, 2021 England, he had also played against his grain, getting scores of 127 (256 balls), 36 (107 balls) and 59 (156 balls).
Gill will also do well to let the ball come onto his bat rather than play the forcing shots. If nothing else, it is a safer way of negotiating the new ball. At Cape Town, the top three will have their task cut out against the SA attack led by pace ace Kagiso Rabada.
There’s no better education than observing an expert in actual game go about his stuff. The two youngsters, Jaiswal and Gill, have the chance to watch and learn how Elgar goes about his game in the tough conditions.
As their captain Rohit put it: He (Elgar) has been their mainstay for a number of years, a quality player, somebody who puts high prize on his wicket. It will be important for us to get him early and see what the other batters do with him not being there. We know how important he is for them (SA), bats all the day, likes to score big runs, we got out plans, hope it works out for us.
As India looks to bounce back in the series, the focus will be on the top-order batters to withstand the challenging South African conditions. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill need to take inspiration from South African veteran Dean Elgar, who has displayed immense grit and determination in facing the Indian pace attack.
Elgar’s method of valuing his wicket and playing out the new ball has been instrumental in setting a solid foundation for South Africa’s innings. In contrast, India’s top-order batsmen struggled to make an impact in both innings of the first Test. Their early dismissals allowed the South African bowlers to remain fresh and exploit India’s vulnerable middle-order. Only KL Rahul’s remarkable century saved India from a disastrous total in the first innings.
To level the series, it is crucial for Rohit, Yashasvi, and Gill to adopt a more patient and resilient approach, similar to Elgar’s. While they are known for their aggressive batting style, they must adjust to the challenging South African conditions and prioritize staying at the crease for longer periods. Yashasvi’s previous innings against the West Indies and Rohit’s successful England tour highlight their ability to adapt and grind out runs.
Gill, on the other hand, should focus on timing the ball rather than forcing shots, especially against the new ball. This cautious approach will provide a safer passage against the formidable South African pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada.
The young Indian batsmen have a prime opportunity to observe and learn from Elgar’s game strategy in adverse conditions. The experienced South African opener has been the backbone of his team’s batting lineup for years, valuing his wicket highly. Dismissing Elgar early will be a key goal for India, as it will test the rest of the South African batsmen. Elgar is known for batting long hours and scoring big runs, making him a vital player for his team.
As India prepares for the second Test, the focus remains on their top-order batsmen to step up and deliver in challenging conditions. Emulating Elgar’s approach of valuing their wickets and conquering the new ball will be crucial for India’s success. By doing so, they can establish a solid foundation and set the stage for the middle-order to flourish. The battle between India’s top-order and South Africa’s pace battery promises to be a captivating contest in Cape Town.
