New Delhi:
Quinton de Kock has always had a good record against India. In the 2019 tour, during the first two Twenty20 Internationals, de Kock had scores of 52 and 79 as South Africa leveled the three-match series 1-1. His good form in the Twenty20 Internationals was carried into the Vizag Test as the left-handed wicketkeeper batsman smashed his fifth century and first in India as South Africa continued to fight against India on day three of the Vizag Test.
De Kock's century was backed up well by Dean Elgar, who also smashed his first century against India and his 12th overall. Elgar had revived the South Africa innings with an aggressive partnership with Faf du Plessis, who scored 55. Following the South Africa skipper's dismissal to Ravichandran Ashwin for 55, De Kock stepped up and took a liking to the Indian bowlers.
De Kock got off the mark by slamming a full toss from Ashwin to the deep cover region for a boundary and that stroke signalled his intent. The left-hander took a liking for Ashwin whom he smashed for two further boundaries before launching into Ravindra Jadeja with a six over deep midwicket and a four to third man. As the post-lunch session wore on, De Kock and Elgar made the Indian bowlers toil.
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With India waiting for the new ball, De Kock and Elgar chipped away at the deficit and scored at a healthy rate. After notching up his fifty, De Kock continued to target Ashwin with two boundaries while he continued the onslaught with two boundaries off Hanuma Vihari. In the quest for quick runs, de Kock and Elgar smashed the Indian bowling to all parts of the ground and although Elgar fell for 160, de Kock continued to bat in his merry ways.
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On 97, De Kock notched up his century in the same way like Elgar. Ashwin flighted a delivery outside off and de Kock powered an inside-out lofted drive over wide long off to bring up his landmark. It indeed is a fantastic knock from South Africa's wicketkeeper batsman after a lean run recently.
South Africa have avoided the follow-on after Mayank Agarwal's fantastic double century and a blazing 176 from Rohit Sharma. The duo stitched a brilliant 317-run partnership for the opening wicket and it was the best stand in Tests between India and South Africa. The Proteas will be aiming to avoid a repeat of 2015 in which only a washout in the Bangalore test helped them avoid a 4-0 whitewash.
