Dean Elgar’s father Richard Elgar revealed what his son told him ahead of the Day 4 of the second match against India in Johannesburg. Elgar played one of his finest Test knocks to take his side home in the recently concluded second Test in Johannesburg. 

Chasing the target of 240 runs, Dean Elgar showed great resilience and took some blows on his body but stood tall like a rock for his side and along with other batters, stitched crucial partnerships to help his side level the series 1-1. 

Read Also: Proteas batters’ intent surprised Indian bowlers in 2nd innings at Wanderes, says Philander

Dean Elgar played a gritty knock of unbeaten 96 runs in 188 deliveries and was awarded Player of the Match for his heroics as South Africa thumped visitors by 7 wickets. 

Speaking to Indian Express, Dean Elgar’s father Richard Elgar revealed that ahead of Day 4 of the second Test against India, the South African skipper said to him that he will stay till the end and will win the match for his side. 

He said that when Elgar told him that Indian bowlers can’t get him out by hitting him on the body, he at that time felt that he would do it. 

“Dad! I will be there till the end of the game tomorrow. If they want to get me out, they would have to break something in my body to drag me out of there. They are not going to get me by hitting me on the body. No way in hell.’ When I heard him say that, I knew he was charged up and felt he would do it,” Richard Elgar said. 

Richard Elgar said that when the target dipped under 100 runs, he told his wife that Team India will not get Dean Elgar out as he was in his zone and was looking focused. 

Read Also: "Think we should stick with them," Gavaskar speaks on India's playing XI for last Test

“In the morning, when the target dipped under 100, I said to my wife, ‘you know what, they are not going to get him out today.’ I could see that he was in the zone – so focused, so intense in his bubble, that he didn’t even know what was going on around him. I could see it. She said ‘but 100 runs are there, and I went, ‘doesn’t matter. Dean and others are going to do it,” he said. 

The Test series between South Africa and India is leveled at 1-1. The third and final match of the series will take place in Cape Town from 11th January. 

(Indian Express inputs)