In a farewell series filled with poignant moments, veteran South African batsman Dean Elgar dazzled against India on Day 2 of the first Boxing Day Test in Centurion. Elgar, who had announced his retirement from Test cricket before the series commenced, left an indelible mark with a briskly-paced century, setting the stage for a memorable farewell.
The picturesque Centurion ground witnessed Elgar’s commanding innings, marked by a thunderous roar upon reaching the century milestone in just 141 balls. The southpaw’s swashbuckling display included 20 boundaries, adding a layer of drama to his final send-off.
As the second day unfolded, India posted a total of 208/8, with KL Rahul stealing the spotlight by contributing 70 runs before succumbing to Gerald Coetzee’s delivery. The dynamic performance showcased Rahul’s dominance, especially highlighted by a spectacular six off Coetzee in the 66th over.
In the bowling department, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada shone bright, claiming five crucial wickets, while debutant Nandre Berger made his mark by dismissing Rahul with a furniture disturbed.
Rahul’s splendid performance at Centurion not only marked his second century at the venue but also secured his place in the record books. He became the first foreign player to achieve this feat, surpassing the previous record held by Virat Kohli with 249 runs. Rahul’s total of 261 runs in Test cricket at Centurion solidifies his reputation as a dominant force on this challenging pitch.
Adding to the broader narrative, Rahul’s achievement propels him to the top spot in the list of overseas batsmen with the most runs at Centurion’s SuperSport Park, overtaking the legendary Virat Kohli. In the grander scheme of Asian batsmen in South Africa, Sachin Tendulkar’s legacy looms large with five Test centuries, while Virat Kohli and KL Rahul closely follow with two centuries each.
Asian Batters with Multiple Hundreds in South Africa
• Sachin Tendulkar
• Azhar Mahmood
• Thilan Samaraweera
• Virat Kohli
• KL Rahul
Indian Batters to Score Multiple Test Centuries in SA
• Sachin Tendulkar: 5
• Virat Kohli: 2
• KL Rahul: 2