Opening batsman Dean Elgar savoured a superb century, as the Proteas proved dominant on day three of the first Test against India at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Friday.

Elgar’s 160 spanned 287 deliveries – and featured 18 fours and a quartet of sixes. He shared century partnerships with captain Faf du Plessis and wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, as the tourists moved to 385/8 in response to India’s 502/7 declared.

‘You are always up against it and India are always coming at you. But I felt with previous experiences of playing against them that if you apply yourself and give yourself opportunity you can get there. If you allow yourself time, you give yourself the best opportunity with your defensive game, your attacking game will come naturally,’ said the steely left-hander.

‘It was me putting my stamp on my innings, not allowing them just to bowl to me which has happened in the past.

‘I’ve learnt over the last few years that I can play the spinning ball. I’ve played a lot of cricket around the world and developed my game in the county circuit and that’s why I ultimately go and play, to develop. It’s nice to see the results and all the hard work I have put in overseas pay off on days like this.’

De Kock also scored a ton on Friday, leaving the visitors with a 117-run deficit. Debutant Senuran Muthusamy and tail-ender Keshav Maharaj will resume on Saturday.

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