South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma credited the bowlers, along with his partnerships with Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen, after their sensational 30-run win over India in the first Test of the two-match series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
The visitors defended a target of 124 runs on day three to take a 1–0 lead in the series. Much like in the first innings, Simon Harmer was once again the star for the Proteas with the ball, taking four wickets to finish with a total of eight in the match. The veteran off-spinner received good support from Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram in the fourth innings. Before the bowlers worked their magic, it was the eighth-wicket partnership between Bavuma and Bosch that lifted the Proteas to a total which ultimately proved enough.
“Our bowlers got us back into the game, but that partnership with Bosch, and a little bit with Marco as well at the end of the day just gave us a bit of impetus so that we could play a little better this morning,” Bavuma said in the post-match presentation ceremony. “It wasn’t as extreme, but we were able to build a partnership. We tried to stay in the game as much as we could.”
In a low-scoring contest, Bavuma emerged as the standout batter, scoring the only half-century of the match. After failing with the bat in the first innings, he produced a masterclass on a tricky pitch against a high-quality Indian bowling attack.
“From a batting point of view, I’m just comfortable with myself and with my technique, not worrying about triggering and all those sorts of things. I have a decent understanding of the game. I’ve come here to India wanting to do well. I don’t have the greatest record in these conditions, so there’s a bit of exuberance on my side as I try to learn and adapt to them, implement the little things I’m working on, and keep contributing to the team,” Bavuma added.
With the win in Kolkata, Bavuma and his team have ensured they will not lose the series. Next up in Guwahati, venue for the second Test, the Proteas will be aiming to secure their first series win in India.
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