• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Now I Dont Have To Face Them Dean Elgar Praises Jasprit Bumrah Co After Farewell Test

'Now I Don’t Have To Face Them…'- Dean Elgar Praises Jasprit Bumrah & Co. After Farewell Test

image-lqz6s1w8Dean Elgar congratulated by Mukesh Kumar on Day 1 (AP)

South African captain Dean Elgar brought down curtains on his glittering international career after his team slumped to a seven-wicket defeat to India in the second Test of their two-match series at Cape Town.

The cricketer himself registered below-par scores of four and 12 across two innings of the series decider after punching out a match-winning 185 at Centurion in late December. 

During the post-match presentation ceremony, the outbound Proteas skipper summarised the outcome and jokingly expressed his gladness at not having to face Jasprit Bumrah and other Indian seamers anymore in his career.


Dean Elgar says India deserved to win his farewell Test

South African veteran Dean Elgar was tasked to lead the side for their two-match home Test series against India after regular skipper Temba Bavuma was ruled out owing to an injury. After leading South Africa to an innings win in Centurion, the hosts folded up for just 55 within the morning session of the subsequent series decider at Cape Town.

Elgar acknowledged South Africa's first-innings disaster and claimed that Team India bowlers brought the "right intensity" on a tough batting surface. While speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, he said:

“A tough one for us. Was pretty positive coming into this game. First innings killed it for us. India brought the right intensity and yes, tough one. Still a drawn series. Would have been better winning 2-0 but proud of the boys efforts with the ball. The pitch was a ripper. I mean it played differently than what we expected today. It was surprising. They outskilled us totally and deserve the win. We will take the drawn series.”

Dean Elgar also praised Jasprit Bumrah and other Indian pacemen for challenging South Africa in their den and jokingly expressed his happiness of not having to encounter them anymore. 

The cricketer concluded the ceremony by looking back on his illustrious journey for South Africa. The 36-year-old, upon being named as the 'Player of the Series' alongside Bumrah, added:

“Bumrah was great and they have challenged us a lot. Glad I have played against them and now don't have to play against them. Baggy green is special for us. I missed the Test match in West Indies but hardly missed any matches. Always proud to represent my nation. Happy to play the series.”

Dean Elgar played 86 Tests for South Africa between December 2012 and his latest outing in Cape Town in January 2024. Known as one of the biggest ambassadors of modern-day Test cricket, the elegant left-hander minted 5,347 runs in his career at an average of nearly 38, with 23 fifties and 14 centuries to his name.