After South Africa’s two-match Test series at home against India, former captain Dean Elgar is anticipated to declare his retirement. Skipper Dean Elgar will end his 11-year international career at the end of the home Test series against India. Elgar’s final performance is slated to take place at Newlands, the site of his first Test runs. He will play his final Test match at the Centurion, his home stadium.
Elgar made his debut in both Tests and ODIs in 2012, though he fared best in the longer format. The 36-year-old has scored 5146 runs in 84 Test matches so far, with 13 hundreds and 23 fifties.
Skipper Dean Elgar gameplay:
Elgar was instrumental in South Africa’s 3-1 series win at home in 2018. Elgar scored 333 runs in three games against Australia in 2018. He scored 141* off the bat in the third Test in Cape Town, helping the Proteas win the series 3-1.
He was acknowledged for his batting ability in 2021 and was named Test captain. Under his direction, South Africa finished third in the World Test Championship in the cycle 2021–2023. Thanks to wins in the home series against the West Indies and India, as well as a draw in the series in New Zealand.
About his plans for retirement, the southpaw stated in a statement. He said, “Being able to play cricket has always been a dream of mine, but getting the chance to represent your country is the ultimate. It’s just beyond my wildest dreams that I got to do it internationally for 12 years. I have had the great fortune to embark on an amazing journey.”
The South African opener continued, “As they say, ‘all good things come to an end,’ and the Indian home series will be my last, as I have decided to retire from our beautiful game. A game that has greatly benefitted me. My final test will be the Cape Town one. My all-time favourite stadium on earth. A location where, hopefully, I scored both my first and last Test run against New Zealand.”
Dean Elgar retirement effect:
The possibility of Elgar’s retirement raises a number of concerns about what will happen to South Africa’s Test team in the future. Conrad claims not to be aware of Elgar’s intentions, but reports indicate he is thinking about replacing opener Neil Brand, the captain of South Africa.
If Elgar does decide to retire, Tony de Zorzi is thought to be a serious candidate to partner Brand at the top of the order. With one half-century to his credit, the 26-year-old left-handed hitter has underachieved in South African test matches.
This is especially important because his leadership qualities were more highly regarded than his hitting prowess. Cricket South Africa will undoubtedly give top priority to appointing a qualified successor in light of his resignation.
There will be more to the impending India series than just cricket to focus on. Elgar’s mannerisms and performance may provide important hints about his future intentions. His batting performance in the series will undoubtedly determine whether he chooses to open a new chapter in his career or continue playing Test cricket.
So, this was all about skipper Dean Elgar. Also read, Spectators Made to sit on Dirty Seats at Wankhede Stadium!