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[Saba Sports News] On Day 2 of the first Test in the two-match series at SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa took an 11-run lead over India. Dean Elgar shone for the hosts, hitting his 14th Test century (140* off 211), steering South Africa to 256/5 at stumps. Earlier, KL Rahul resumed at 70* and scored his 8th Test century (101 off 137), helping India post a first-innings total of 245.
A notable moment from the day involved Virat Kohli adopting Stuart Broad’s tactic of flipping the bails. Before the 29th over of South Africa’s innings, with Tony de Zorzi facing Jasprit Bumrah, Kohli flipped the bails at the striker’s end.
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Surprisingly, Zorzi was dismissed at the end of the over, ending a 93-run partnership, as he edged to third slip. Shortly after, Bumrah dismissed Keegan Petersen, who chopped onto his stumps. Broad, known for this superstitious move, queried Kohli about the effectiveness of the trick.
Broad famously used this bail-flip technique during the fifth Ashes Test in 2023 at Kennington Oval, London, which led to two crucial wickets for England. The first instance was on Day 2 when Broad flipped the bail at the striker’s end, and immediately after, Mark Wood dismissed Marnus Labuschagne. On Day 5, with England seeking the final two wickets, Broad repeated the gesture and managed to get Todd Murphy out, contributing to England leveling the series 2-2.
Broad, concluding his international career with this match, later explained that he adopted this method from Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon as a way to change luck.