By Admin 
During the first Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens here, stump mikes caught pacer Jasprit Bumrah using the word bauna (dwarf) while referencing Temba Bavuma during an lbw shout.
After the opening day’s play, South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince had said that there would be no discussion on the unflattering remark.
On Sunday, moments after the visitors notched up a historic 30-run win, Bumrah and Bavuma were seen having an affectionate chat. The mutual respect was evident, and it appeared there was space for a small note of apology as well.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah speaks to South Africa’s Temba Bavuma.
| Photo Credit:
K.R. DEEPAK
This is Bavuma in a nutshell — unruffled and kind, and possessing a powerful magnetic pull that has come courtesy the sheer weight of his personality and massive deeds. The Kolkata Test, where South Africa lived up to the tag of the World Test Champion, was just the latest proof.
In a contest where no other batter crossed 39, the diminutive Bavuma scored an ultra-patient, match-turning half-century (55 n.o., 136b, 4×4). The 35-year-old then went against modern-day logic and trusted his lead spinner Keshav Maharaj, a left-armer, to excise the dangerous-looking Axar Patel, a left-hander. The marvellous high catch he held to dismiss Axar was the icing.
“Having our best player back [after missing the Pakistan tour] brought calmness,” said coach Shukri Conrad. “He went against the grain of everybody else in this match, and that was the difference between the two sides.”
In fact, Bavuma has been the difference-maker ever since he was appointed South Africa’s Test captain — the first Black man to hold the job — in early 2023. The Rainbow Nation has won 10 of the 11 Tests under him, and in those matches, he has been his side’s best batter — 969 runs from 19 innings at an average of 57.00 with three centuries.
These are astonishing numbers, for when he wasn’t the captain, he averaged 34.53 with one century from 54 matches.
“The captaincy… you are only as good as the players,” Bavuma said after the victory. “Batting, I am just comfortable with myself. And technique, [I don’t] worry about trigger and all those types of things. I stand as still as I can and watch the ball.
“I have come to India wanting to do well. There’s a bit of that exuberance to keep contributing for the team.”
At the end of the media briefing on Sunday, Conrad was asked if South Africa would take up the matter of Bumrah using the uncharitable term. Conrad took a breath, smiled, let out a grin and said: “Thankfully, he has the heart of the giant”.