In a farewell series that resonates with emotion, South Africa’s Dean Elgar etched his name in cricket history with a remarkable century against India on the second day of the first Test. The animated celebrations that followed were not just about reaching a century but also about the joy of finally gracing the honours board inside the Centurion home changeroom.

Elgar, a stalwart who plies his trade for the Centurion-based Northerns Titans in domestic cricket, concluded the second day unbeaten at 140 — a significant milestone as it marked his first Test century at his home ground.

His innings showcased not only brilliant composure on a challenging pitch but also a masterful display of skill in punishing loose deliveries. With 23 fours to his name, Elgar’s century unfolded over 211 deliveries before bad light interrupted play, leaving South Africa at 256 for five, leading by 11 runs in the first innings.

As Elgar approaches the end of his cricketing journey, this century holds special significance, completing a set of Test centuries at all major venues in South Africa. Reflecting on the achievement, Elgar expressed delight, saying:

“It’s a special game for me, my last international fixture here, and my family and friends are watching. I haven’t had a Test hundred at Centurion before — it’s the one that got away, so I’m very happy to be on the board.”

Addressing his teammates’ misconceptions about his Centurion record, Elgar humorously remarked,

“We spoke about it in the changeroom; some of the guys thought I had made a few centuries here, but I had to tell them I’ve been rubbish here.”

His previous highest score at the venue was 95 against Sri Lanka in 2020.

Elgar credited his success to favourable conditions and a mindset geared towards aggressive yet calculated play, especially against the intense Indian bowlers. Reflecting on the challenges posed by the moving ball, he emphasized the importance of looking to score and capitalizing on opportunities.

Earlier in the match, former opener Lokesh Rahul showcased his batting prowess in the middle-order for the visitors. Scoring a resilient 101 out of India’s total of 245, Rahul navigated the challenging conditions with 14 fours and four sixes. Speaking about his approach, Rahul highlighted the need to adapt to the situation, especially when batting with the tail.

Despite the difficulty posed by the bowler-friendly conditions, Rahul expressed his enjoyment of playing at the venue, appreciating the fast outfield that allows for scoring boundaries. As the series unfolds, these memorable performances create lasting impressions, contributing to the rich narrative of international cricket.