Dean Elgar's injury was outcome of misjudgement, not pitch treachery: Harsha Bhogle on India vs South Africa fracas

Despite pitch fears, the third and final Test between South Africa and India will resume on Saturday.

‘The on-field umpires, in consultation with the match referee, and after speaking with both the captains and groundsmen, have decided that the Johannesburg Test will resume on time on Saturday,’ said International Cricket Council in a statement.

The third day of the third Test between South Africa and India was called-off early on Friday after match umpires held a long discussion with the respective team captains over an incident where a back of a length delivery from Jasprit Bumrah hit Deal Elgar on his helmet.

Reacting to the furore Harsha Bhogle said that India played ‘some of the bravest toughest cricket’ and that Elgar’s injury was ‘outcome of misjudgement, not treachery of the pitch’.

He wrote on Facebook: “To put yesterday's events into perspective. The story of the day wasn't what happened at the end but what came before. This was some of the bravest, toughest cricket I have seen from India and Kohli and Rahane showed great skill and a wonderful attitude. As did Vijay and Bhuvi.

Make no mistake, batting was very difficult as we saw when South Africa came to bat. The umpires were right to show concern because Elgar had been hit on the head and while they were deliberating with the referee, it started raining and the clock ticked past the cut-off time for the day.

While Elgar's injury was unfortunate it was the outcome of misjudgment and not any treachery from the pitch. The match could therefore, never have been abandoned and to be fair, that was the view from the South African commentators as well. The pitch hadn't deteriorated after the Indian innings and by batting through the day and posting the highest total of the game, India had made a statement.”

This is a great opportunity to win a test in South Africa and if they do, it will count among the finest overseas.

It is already a performance to be proud of.

India have given South Africa a 241-run target in the third and final cricket Test at Wanderers cricket ground in Johannesburg.

The Proteas have an unassailable 2-0 lead over India in the three-match Test series.

India are willing to play with South Africa on the same pitch, team manager Sunil Subramaniam said on Friday.

‘As for now the play has been called off for the day. Play was called off because of that delivery to Elgar. India are willing to play,’ Subramaniam said while addressing a press conference here after the play of the third day was called off prematurely.

The third day of the third Test between South Africa and India was called-off early after match umpires held a long discussion with the respective team captains over an incident where a back of a length delivery from Jasprit Bumrah hit Deal Elgar on his helmet.

Subramaniam informed that the match referee had called him at tea time to tell that the wicket was unfit for playing and both team captains would be consulted to take the game forward.

‘We held the views that the wicket has been the same for all three days and today, the third day, is the day probably with least wickets and strike rate was highest, so we would like to continue play,’ the Indian team manager said.

However, he added that the final decision laid with the umpires and both the teams would abide it.

Meanwhile, Indian Vice-Captain Ajinkya Rahane, while admitting the pitch to be a challenging wicket, said it was not a dangerous one.

‘What about them (South Africa) bowling short balls to our bowlers. When Ishant, Bhuvi, Shami and Bumrah were batting, everyone was bowling bouncers. I don't think it is a dangerous wicket, yes, it is a challenging wicket,’ Rahane said.