Twitter Reactions: Dean Elgar scores a stubborn half-century, stands between India and victory

As the stumps were drawn on Day 4, South Africa ended the day with their scorecard reading 94/4 in the second innings. Dean Elgar stood like a rock for the South African side with the willow in hand, scoring an unbeaten 122-ball 52*.

Even though wickets fell at the other end, Elgar stood unflustered. South Africa lost their opening wicket with just 1 run on the board, as Mohammed Shami cleaned up Aiden Markram. Mohammed Siraj then scalped the wicket of Keegan Petersen, and the right-hander departed for 17.

Rassie van der Dussen and Elgar stitched together a 40-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, but just when things were getting easy for the hosts, Jasprit Bumrah scalped the wicket of van der Dussen. Nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj survived 19 deliveries, but his timber was disturbed by a toe-crushing yorker from Bumrah. South Africa still needs 211 runs, while India requires 6 Protean wickets to seal the deal.

India bowled out for 174 in their second innings

The Indian side was bowled out for a total of 174 in the second innings. Resuming the day at 16/1, India lost wickets at regular intervals. Nightwatchman Shardul Thakur was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada, while KL Rahul departed after edging Lungi Ngidi to the slip cordon.

Skipper Virat Kohli once again chased an away-going delivery and edged the ball to the keeper. Cheteshwar Pujara’s poor run continued as the right-hander was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi for just 16. Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin walked back for 20 and 14 respectively, to leave India reeling at 146/7. Rishabh Pant entertained in his 34-ball cameo, scoring 34 runs, but was dismissed by Rabada.

South Africa completed the formalities, and scalped the final 2 wickets quickly, as the Virat Kohli-led Indian side was bowled out for just 174. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada scalped 8 wickets between them with the ball for South Africa.

Here are the reactions from Twitter

Jasprit Bumrah,,,,,game changer!

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 29, 2021

Exclusive pic of groundsman rolling the Centurion pitch during innings break #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/tLe4rJU9g2

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 29, 2021

Keegan Petersen plays in lovely straight lines has a pleasing technique. Looks like he has a couple of test hundreds in him in the appropriate conditions.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 29, 2021

Surprised to see shami and bumrah swopping ends. I’d change it back to how they had it in the first innings.

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) December 29, 2021

क्या आज कोच राहुल द्रविड़ टीम इंडिया की जीत की घंटी तो नहीं बजा दी😃. A target of 305 on this pitch with this current SA batting line-up is like a chase of 400! #SAvsIND #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/cKJTmvNTBD

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) December 29, 2021

Looking at the uneven bounce, 305 in 4th innings is gonna feel like 500 for South Africa#SAvIND

— DK (@DineshKarthik) December 29, 2021

Looking at the pitch and conditions, I think India should win this #SAvIND Test match.What do you say? #SAvsIND #CricketTwitter

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 29, 2021

Gonna be a few bruises when the proteas bat thats for sure.

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) December 29, 2021

Good luck batting on that if there is no rain later in this Testmatch😦.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 29, 2021

Kohli mocking South African batters' run calls. 😭😭🤣

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 29, 2021

Whom do you want to face the last over of the day with sun fading out ? Option 1 – your most experienced batsmen who have batted 122 balls with grit and determination.Option 2 – Tail ender who has just arrived and still haven’t got his eye in.And the bowler is Jasprit Bumrah

— Prasanna (@prasannalara) December 29, 2021