Elgar finished with career-best figures of 4-22 off eight overs

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

South Africa opener Dean Elgar is known for his batting, but on the first day of the first Test against India in Mohali, he starred with the ball as he took four wickets.

Prior to this match, Elgar had taken six Test wickets in total with his part-time left-arm spin, but he proved to be at a different level on Thursday as he absolutely sliced through India’s batting line-up.

India captain Virat Kohli would have been brooding over his decision to bat first as opener Murali Vijay was the only batsman to make a major contribution.

Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara both got off to encouraging starts, but were unable to convert them into bigger scores as they were dismissed for 38 and 31 respectively.

Vijay on the other hand tried to stabilise India’s innings despite losing partners at regular intervals. However, his resistance was ended when he was given out lbw off the bowling of Simon Harmer for 75 off 136 balls, which included 12 boundaries.

Vijay scored a valiant 75

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

With all the other batsmen failing to have an impact, India were bundled out for 201.

Elgar was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Vernon Philander and Imran Tahir snapped up two wickets apiece and Harmer and Kagiso Rabada chipped in with one wicket each.

Trailing by 201 runs, South Africa got off to an awful start as they lost Stiaan van Zyl and Faf du Plessis in quick succession.

However, Elgar and Hashim Amla ensured that no more damage was done before stumps was called as they amassed an unbeaten 19-run partnership.

Elgar finished on 13, while Amla remained undefeated on nine off 34 balls, which included one boundary.

Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed one wicket each.

South Africa ended day one on 28/2 and will continue batting tomorrow at 09:30 local time or 04:00 GMT.