Former South African captain AB de Villiers showered praise on Temba Bavuma for preparing in the right manner ahead of the opening Test match against India. Bavuma played for South Africa A to acclimatise to the Indian conditions before the all-important series.
The preparation helped Bavuma in delivering the goods as he scored a match-winning knock of 55* runs in the second innings on a difficult track. With the help of Bavuma’s half-century, South Africa were able to post 153 runs on the board, giving a target of 124 runs to India. The visitors were then able to skittle out India at 93 runs in the final innings to register a memorable 30-run win.
AB de Villiers said on his YouTube Channel, “It looked game over for South Africa. But Bavuma played the match-winning knock. We saw him going to India early and preparing for this series. Not a lot of players would put their hands up and go a tier down and play for the A team. I am very proud of the way he went over there and prepared. It proved to be crucial. Even a little glitch there would have been a win for India.”
After the loss, head coach Gautam Gambhir said they had asked for this kind of a surface but his batters could not apply themselves.
“Before I could blink the Test match was over. Exactly the wicket India wanted Gambhir said, very interesting comments there. Maybe he is having a go at the players that this what we prepared, why didn’t we perform? Interesting trend developing there over the last three to five years. I thought it was going to be a flat wicket but then things started happening. India never took the opportunity to make that 189 250 plus because then it would have been done and dusted. Small margins,” he said.
In 2024, India was stunned 3-0 by New Zealand while playing at home and AB said there is some concern for the team as they have a quality team but added that the visitors are coming more prepared.
“Some concerns for India. They have lost four games there and that is unheard of. What is happening here? Have they become worst players of spin? I don’t think so. The oppositions are more prepared and understanding the conditions, playing spin better as well. We see teams getting more clever,” he said.
“Maybe India have to change the makeup of the pitches and not ask for turners. Make it more of a fair Test pitch, and maybe it is time for them to tweak their mindset here. I think teams are going on tour more prepared,” he added.
India and South Africa will take on each other in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday onwards.
