Magnificent Dean Elgar helps Proteas to narrow lead in Boxing Day Test

Elgar was 140 not out as the Proteas went to stumps on 256-5, an overall lead of 11 runs, after bowling the tourists out for a total of 245 in the first session.

The left-handed opener, who has already announced that this will be his final series before he retires, looked fluent as he brought up his 14th Test hundred off 140 balls.

Elgar lost his opening partner Aiden Markram early when seamer Mohammed Siraj induced an edge in just the fourth over.

Tony de Zorzi, tipped to replace Elgar at the top of the order once he steps down, joined his senior statesman and the pair added 93 for the second wicket.

India though hit back with a double-strike in the middle session and it was Jasprit Bumrah who obliged, removing De Zorzi (28) and Keegan Petersen (2) in quick succession to leave the hosts on 113-3.

Elgar though found a willing ally in debutant David Bedingham, the Western Province batter looking calmingly assured at the crease in first knock at the highest level.

The duo put on a vital 131 with Elgar going to his first Test ton at his home venue where he plays his domestic cricket while Bedingham brought his fifty off 80 deliveries that included six fours and two huge sixes that he hooked onto the grass bank.

Just as it seemed that the Proteas were running away with the contest India hit back with two late scalps as Siraj castled the stumps of Bedingham (56) and debutant seamer Prasidh Krishna picked up his maiden Test wicket when he had Kyle Verreynne (4) caught behind.

Earlier, KL Rahul scored a fabulous 101 after India added 37 runs to their overnight total of 208-8 with Proteas seamer Kagiso Rabada finished with figures of 5-59 in 20 overs.

Rahul resumed on 70 and knew needed to up the ante if he wanted to reach the three-figure mark as he was running out out of partners.

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