Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said following India's series draw with South Africa, that the hosts were the most "beatable team" and 185 by opener Dean Elgar in the first Centurion Test prevented India from creating history.
Injury to Temba Bavuma also thrust Elgar back into the captain's role that was taken away from him last February.
Dean Elgar joins Aiden Markram on the list of players who have expressed interest in the job.
The win at Wanderers against India is a move in the right direction for the South Africa team, according to skipper Dean Elgar, who revealed that while there is room for improvement, the hosts won't be tinkering with their game plan heading into the final Test.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has named Dean Elgar in the list of its contracted players, in place of the retired Test captain Graeme Smith.
For the world, it is another victory of a cricket team, but for all those Black South Africans, who suffered during apartheid, it come as a sweet redemption.
The star batter's aggression has been a fire to forge inspiration and motivation, but it has also led to some unnecessary controversies in the red-ball format.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma showed their respect for the retiring Dean Elgar by presenting him with autographed India jerseys.
South Africa meet India in Centurion in the opening Test starting on December 26 before moving to Cape Town for the second match from January 3.
Dean Elgar scored his 14th Test century to help South Africa to take an 11-run lead with five wickets in hand on Day 2.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma's participation in the on-going first Test against India was thrown into jeopardy after he limped off the field with a left hamstring strain in Centurion on Tuesday.
23 wickets and several records fell on the opening day of the second and final Test in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The freedom of impending retirement from the Test arena allowed South Africa opener Dean Elgar to produce one of his best innings.
Images from Day 3 in the first Test between South Africa and India, at SuperSports Park, Centurion, on Thursday.
Bavuma has replaced Dean Elgar as skipper in the longest format, though the latter remains part of a much-changed squad.
South Africa lost Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock among several experienced batters in recent years, leaving Elgar and Temba Bavuma to shoulder a heavy burden.
Team India is in Cape Town intensively preparing for the match at Newlands, which begins on Wednesday. In a rigorous training session, players exhibited resilience, showcasing their determination to bounce back.
South Africa is set for a fairytale farewell as Dean Elgar takes the helm in the final Test against India
'Nandre showed why he has been such a shining light for South African cricket'
A desperate India seek to restore parity against South Africa and remain consequential in the World Test Championship.
The Newlands contest lasted 642 balls with India registering a series-levelling victory in the shortest ever Test
India captain Rohit Sharma said India can take pride in their performance after defeating South Africa inside two days of the 2nd Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Thursday.
Mohammed Siraj's sensational six-wicket spell put India in control despite a superb fightback from South Africa with the ball on Day 1 of the second and final Test.
IMAGES from the Day 2 of the first Test between South Africa and India, at Centurion, on Wednesday.
Cricket South Africa's Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe confirmed Klaasen was still part of their white ball plans.
Dean Elgar's decision backfired as South Africa were bundled out for 55 in their first innings.
Jadeja missed the opening Test match after complaining of 'upper back spasm' during the morning of the first day at the Supersport Park.
With nothing to lose on the eve of his final international outing, Dean Elgar didn't hold back while expressing his disgust about Cricket South Africa sending a third-string squad to New Zealand under an uncapped captain just because the series is coinciding with the cash-rich SA20.
Elgar said he had told his side to play with courage and to push themselves to the limit, as South Africa go in search of a fourth consecutive series win on Australian soil.
'They perhaps hoped to get an early wicket, but once they didn't get that, they went into a shell.'
Virat Kohli advanced four slots to ninth position after scores of 38 and 76 in the first Test against South Africa.
Despite his and South Africa's poor showing in Australia, Elgar said he still wanted to continue as captain.
South Africa will fancy their chances of victory if they can set India a target of 100 or more.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the 2nd Test played at the Wanderers on Thursday.
Former South Africa skipper Dean Elgar has claimed that star India batter Virat Kohli "spat at him" during a Test match and apologised two years later after being confronted by his Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate AB de Villiers.
Injury blow hit the South African camp as Anrich Nortje was ruled out of the second Test against West Indies.
Mohammed Siraj's 6/15 is the third best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in South Africa.
For the golden generation of Indian cricketers, this is their last chance to conquest what no other team could on eight previous tours.
Not only wickets, but records tumbled as India clinched a seven-wicket win over South Africa.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances