After the second Test in Cape Town on Thursday, Virat Kohli gave Dean Elgar a signed Indian jersey from the visiting team. The South African opener had declared his retirement from international cricket after the two-match Test series against India. He concluded his cricket career during the first day of the second Test, getting dismissed for 4 and 12 by Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar, respectively.
Kohli exchanged words and a hug with Elgar after he got out in the second innings, signifying the conclusion of Elgar’s international career. The two also engaged in friendly banter on the field, reminiscing about the controversial DRS incident from the 2021 tour. Elgar took the field for his final innings, receiving a guard of honour as he led South Africa.
ತಮ್ಮ ಕೊನೆ ಟೆಸ್ಟ್ ಪಂದ್ಯ ಆಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಡೀನ್ ಎಲ್ಗರ್ಗೆ ಜರ್ಸಿ ಗಿಫ್ಟ್ ನೀಡಿದ ರೋಹಿ – ರಾಟ್ ಜೋಡಿ ❤#SAvIND #StarSportsKannada #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/tL8etsB5GG
— Star Sports Kannada (@StarSportsKan) January 4, 2024
Despite Aiden Markram’s impressive century on Day 2, South Africa set a target of 79 runs. Team India successfully chased it in 12 overs, losing three wickets, securing their inaugural victory at the venue. Under Virat Kohli’s leadership, the Indian team replicated this gesture for Kumar Sangakkara in 2015 during India’s tour of Sri Lanka when the renowned wicketkeeper-batsman retired after the second Test in Colombo.
Additionally, under Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy, Team India presented a signed jersey to Nathan Lyon on his 100th Test appearance in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
“Happy that I won’t have to deal these people anymore”- Dean Elgar
Dean Elgar, acting as captain in his last Test since Temba Bavuma was unavailable, was awarded Player of the Series. The determined opener played a crucial role by scoring a decisive 185 in the first Test, leading South Africa to victory with an innings and 37 runs.
“I would have liked to do more in this game. Still very proud of my performance I had in Centurion. Nice to contribute to a winning cause. Some really tough conditions throughout. It (a three-match Test series) would have been fantastic. You want to challenge yourself, Bumrah is world-class, he deserves this award. You want to push yourself to limits,” he said.
“Glad that I don’t have to face these guys again. Fond memories. We’ve come a long way. Very grateful to play against these guys,” Elgar concluded.
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