'You Got to Ride the Roller When it's in Your Favour': Dean Elgar on His Batting Approach After SA Hammer IND

Dean Elgar opened up on his batting approach after his 185-run knock helped South Africa outclass India in the opening Test match. Elgar showed the way to the Proteas with a fine knock on his penultimate Test as the pacers also complemented him well as South Africa registered an innings and 32-run win over India in Centurion.

Elgar was named Player of the Match for his brilliant knock as he tried to keep things simple in the complex game.

“Pretty special knock. Sometimes what we want to do hasn’t worked out as plans, but happy that it worked today. I think you need to keep things nice and simple, the game is already pretty complex. Focus on the ball, play nice and straight. Play late and be great,” Elgar said in the post-match presentation.

The veteran opener said that you have to take full advantage when things are going in your favour.

“You got to ride the roller when it is in your favour. Good partnerships with Tony, and then Jansen showed his talent as well,” he added.

The 36-year-old also heaped praise on pacers Kagiso Rabada and Nandre Burger who ran riot with the ball to dismantle India’s batting line-up in both innings.

“You need fast bowlers and a spinner potentially to take 20 wickets, that’s how we win Test matches. KG was brilliant, but then Nandre showed why he has been such a shining light for South African cricket,” he added.

Elgar further talked about the number of fans who came in support of the home side.

“First few days were overcast, and close to a sellout. Crowds don’t need much motivation to come out and watch their cricket or rugby in Pretoria,” he added.

The former Proteas skipper was relaxed after winning the first Test of two-match series.

“You can’t win a 2 Test series if you don’t win the first one, the Indians are difficult to beat. We’ll have a few days out to relax and enjoy this,” he said.

However, Elgar also pointed out South Africa’s shoddy fielding as they dropped few catches.

“We were pretty clinical, our fielding wasn’t the best and we didn’t make it too easy for ourselves at times,” he concluded.