IND v SA | We wanted to show India that it was not going to be a pushover, says Dean Elgar

He may have had many struggles, especially against Ravichandran Ashwin in Indian conditions before, but when, Elgar strolled out alongside Temba Bavuma on day three, with South Africa struggling at 39 for three, the southpaw had only one thing in his mind: put his head down and fight. As it would turn out, he led the Protea charge against a quality Indian attack in trying conditions with a 287-ball 160. 

"The wicket obviously wears down quite quickly. I'd like to think it may be my best hundred I have had for South Africa, especially playing against the prowess of India and to show them that last time was a little bit easier but this time it is not going to be a pushover," Elgar told PTI at the press conference after the day’s play.

"Any three-figure mark for South Africa is a massive moment for me. It's always an emotional time. A lot of hard graft has happened in the previous series where you have failed. You look back and you realise that it's very special. Even in the trying conditions that we have, we have not experienced heat like this back home," Elgar said.

However, it was not a one-man show from the opener. After Ishant Sharma trapped Bavuma in front, in walked the skipper Faf du Plessis, who made a fluent 55. Then, the in-form Quinton de Kock tore into the Indian bowlers with a stroke-filled 111, his first Test century in India. Elgar reckons it was the stern words in the dressing room ahead of play that helped them avoid a repeat of a disastrous tour of India four years ago. 

"A lot of stern messages were given out this morning in the huddle and it is nice to see that the new faces or even the older faces knuckle down and do their bit for the side. It is tough playing Test cricket in India. You are always up against it, they are always coming at you. But I felt with previous experiences of playing against them that if you apply yourself, you give yourself the opportunity, you can get there," Elgar said.

One particular achievement on Elgar’s part was that he won the battle against Ashwin, one of his arch-nemesis, on the day.  However, Elgar himself did not want to look too much into the particular duel and noted that Ashwin was still a champion bowler.

"I'm not playing the player, I'm playing the ball that is coming my way now. He (Ashwin) can get me out another 10 times, I could not care. If you face a 100 balls, sooner or later he is going to get you a few times. That is just the nature of facing him over and over. He is just going to get you out. He's a phenomenal bowler and it's always a good challenge to face," Elgar added.

After a late fightback from India, South Africa will resume play at 385 for eight on day four, as they look to get as close to India’s first innings total of 502 for seven.