India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, lauds Dean Elgar’s significant contribution but is determined to disrupt the South African captain’s farewell with a series win.
Dean Elgar has proven to be a persistent challenge for India, showcasing exceptional performances both as a player and captain. In the previous India tour to South Africa, Elgar led his team to a series victory, contributing 235 runs and finishing as the second-highest run-scorer.
The most recent encounter saw Elgar named the Player of the Match in the first Test, delivering a remarkable 185 runs that led to India’s innings defeat. As Elgar plays his final international match, assuming the captaincy due to Temba Bavuma’s absence, Rohit Sharma acknowledges Elgar’s prowess but is determined to thwart his final triumph.
“He’s been their mainstay for a number of years now. Gets a lot of runs against us for sure but again a quality player,” Rohit expressed in a pre-match press conference. Despite praising Elgar, Rohit emphasizes the importance of getting him out early to disrupt South Africa’s batting strategy.
While Elgar remains focused on winning the series in his farewell Test, Rohit Sharma aims to turn the tables for India. Reflecting on the previous match, Rohit notes the need for effective plans and expresses hope for a better outcome in the upcoming contest.
In the broader context, South Africa’s flawless start in the World Test Championship 2023-25 positions them at the top of the table with a 100% point percentage. India faces a challenging situation, seeking to recover lost ground and improve their standing after slipping to the 6th position, influenced by a loss and penalties for a slow over-rate.
Rohit Sharma praises Dean Elgar’s enduring impact while eyeing a series win to disrupt Elgar’s farewell aspirations.
