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SA vs IND | Skipper Elgar puts opening woes in perspective, backs Markram after Centurion loss

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South Africa skipper Dean Elgar had to face a multi-pronged defeat in the first Test of the series against India. 

First, he had to see the Indian openers build on a partnership that set the platform for India’s domination in the game against his inconsistent and underprepared bowling attack. 

At the next level, he and his opening partner Aiden Markram had to confront a rampant pace attack on the second day. The Indian pace attack did not return the got their batsmen got from their counterparts and rather produced unplayable deliveries to both him and his partner to get India on top.

Elgar comes across as a gentleman of the game and he had no qualms in conceding being outplayed by India in both the departments in Centurion. He showered praise on the Indian batting order for executing the “fundamentals” better than he and his partners. 

However, he did not come hard at his teammates and backed his battling opening partner saying that he received unplayable delivery and got out in an unfortunate manner in the second innings.

He underscored the importance of solid partnership at the top of the order while at the same time highlighting the challenges of the role as they face the opposition bowling attack at their most potent level.

"We know what it is about. Opening in Test cricket and facing the new ball is not easy. You get a good ball and you're watching the rest of the game," Elgar said.

"They executed their batting fundamentals better and utilised the first hour in their favour. They left well, attacked when they needed to, so they must get credit for that."

"Aiden and I have had the rough of the green at the moment. I got a good ball in the first innings and that happens," Elgar said.

"We're very mindful that as the opening pair, we need to start well and capitalise on good starts when we have the opportunity. "Aiden's dismissal in the second innings was a rough one. It wasn't a ball that should have got him out. When you're behind in a Test match, these kinds of things happen."

Elgar would hope that his gritty innings of 77 runs in the fourth innings of the game would set a template for his teammates in the remaining two games of the series. 

South Africa have never faced defeat against India in a home series and Elgar had taken pride in the history before the start of the series. He would hope his players will back the talk with performances such as his in the last innings of the first Tests to turn things around in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

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SA vs IND | 1st Test | Twitter reacts as India breach yet another fortress, beat Proteas at Centurion

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