India vs South Africa: Theunis de Bruyn named Dean Elgar's concussion substitute in Ranchi Test

South Africa are having a torrid time in the ongoing Test series against India. They have already lost the series and were expected to put up a fight in a bid to avoid the whitewash. But nothing of that sorts happened as the visitors fared even worse compared to the first two matches. To add to their agony, Dean Elgar was hit flush on the helmet by Umesh Yadav at the stroke of Tea on the third day of the match.

Elgar was shocked with the incident and the physio had to come out running to attend him. Even the Indian players looked concerned with Elgar not getting up to bat soon. The on-field umpires though soon decided to end the session and when the last two hours of the day began, South Africa’s opener didn’t come out to bat. George Linde joined the unbeaten Heinrich Klaasen in the middle.

Soon the news broke out that Dean Elgar wasn’t going to take any further part in the Test while Theunis de Bruyn was named his concussion substitute.

Dean Elgar third player to be concussed since the new rule introduced

Dean Elgar has now become the third player to be concussed in Tests ever since the new rule of concussion substitute was introduced. Steve Smith was the first player to get ruled out after he was hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer. Marnus Labuschagne had replaced him then. Darren Bravo was then hurt with Jasprit Bumrah’s bouncer in Jamaica’s Test. Jermaine Blackwood was the concussed substitute from in that Test match.

Elgar was batting on 16 when he was retired hurt and Theunis de Bruyn will bat for him now in the second innings. South Africa are currently fighting it out with Dane Piedt and George Linde in the middle. An innings defeat looks inevitable for them and it is only a matter of time that they will get bowled out.

As far as the third day’s play is concerned, South Africa were only two down in the first innings. But the visitors crumbled and were bundled out for just 162 runs after which Virat Kohli decided to enforce the follow-on. Unfortunately, South Africa’s batsmen couldn’t make up for their shortcomings in the second innings as well.

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