Experienced South Africa batter and former Test captain Dean Elgar will reportedly announce his retirement after the conclusion of the upcoming home series against India.
India are set to face South Africa in a two-match Test series, part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
According to a report in South African paper Rapport, Elgar was in line to lead a depleted South African side during the New Zealand Tests in February since several first-choice stars will be taking part in the SA20.
“Just expect the news (of Elgar’s retirement) to break soon,” Rapport quoted a source as saying.
Earlier this year, South Africa appointed Temba Bavuma as their Test captain in place of Elgar who had then said he was hurt by the development.
“It was a massive setback for me, one of the toughest and most challenging periods in my career,” Elgar had said. “It was unexpected and I was hurt by it. What made it difficult is that I experienced the embarrassment of the series defeat in Australia. And just as I was trying to get over that humiliation, I was hit with more earth-shattering news.”
The 36-year-old though had added he wanted to continue his international career.
“But I knew if I wanted to continue my international career, I had to put that aside and focus on my career as a batsman. I have come to terms with the disappointment,” Elgar said.
He also suggested his relationship with Bavuma remains strong.
“Temba and I have walked a long way together. Our mutual respect is rock solid. He relies on me when decisions have to be made here and there,” Elgar said.
Even Bavuma had brushed aside any concerns.
“The question about my relationship with Dean, I think it’s a bit of a naughty one because there is nothing amiss and there is nothing wrong in my relationship with Dean. Dean and I have always been good teammates and I have always looked up to him as a senior player,” Bavuma said.
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