Temba Bavuma said South Africa were just trying to stay in the game and still believed they could win as they secured victory in the Kolkata Test against India. The Protes have ended their 15-year wait for the Test win in India as they won the match on Day 3 by 30 runs to take an unassailable lead in the series.
Bavuma played a big part in the win as he remained unbeaten on 55 runs in the second innings to help South Africa reach the target of 124. Simon Harmer then spun the web around the hosts to claim four wickets as India again failed to spin. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Bavuma said he was delighted with the result and loved being a part of such games.
IND vs SA 1st Test Day 3: Highlighting | Scorecard
“Very exciting. You want to be a part of games like that and obviously be on the right side of the result. I think we tried to hold our ground as much as we could. We knew it was going to be tough with the bat, it was tough for us, but we needed to take advantage of what was there. I think we did it beautifully. Fortunately, things worked out pretty well,” Bavuma said.
Bavuma paid tribute to the bowlers for getting the Proteas back into the game before crediting his partnership with Corbin Bosch and Marc Jansen late on the second day as the game’s turning points. The South Africa captain also felt that the wicket was not as extreme as the previous two days.
“Our bowlers got us back into the game, but that partnership with Bosch, I think a little bit with Marc, at the end of the day it just gave us a little bit of impetus that we could play a little bit better this morning. It wasn’t that extreme, but we managed to get a partnership. We tried to stay in the game as much as we could. It’s not every time you go 125 12 you feel like you’re only winning 0.” a case of staying in the game and keep believing,” Bavuma said.
THE LEGEND OF BAVUMA’S CAPTAIN GROWS
Bavuma has now won 10 of the 11 Tests he has led and remains unbeaten as captain. The 35-year-old gave full credit to his players and said he was comfortable as a batsman in Indian conditions.
“Captain, you’re as good as the players! The win, I give them (the players). Batting, I’m comfortable with myself and my technique. I stand as still as I can, watch the ball. I came here wanting to play well. It’s not a great record, but I came here with enthusiasm and I wanted to do well. It was about awareness, that leg played out a bit.”
“I didn’t change much in the second innings. I’ve played here before and I understand the conditions and luck played a part,” Bavuma said.
South Africa will now take on India in the second Test starting on November 22.
– The end
Published on:
November 16, 2025
